Unsurprisingly, Peter Sagan (Cannondale) has earned himself the right to wear the Slovakian championøs jersey for a third consecutive year. The emerged as the fastest in a small group sprint at the end of a 198,6km race in Dubnica which doubled as the Slovakian and Czech championships. Jan Barta (NetApp-Endura) was the first Czech to cross the line, thus adding the road race title to the time trial crown he took on Friday.

It will be a familiar sight in this year's Tour de France as Peter Sagan will once again be clad in his nationaæ champion's jersey. The Cannondale star did not disappoint on home soil as he took another win in his national road race championships.

As always, the Czech and Slovakian championships were held as only one race, with the first rider from each nation over the line crowned national champion. Sagan only had brother and teammate Juraj to support him but overcame his numerical disadvantage and the collective might of the Dukla Trencin  - Trek team to win the race from a 23-rider group consisting of 6 Slovakians and 17 Czechs.

“I’m really proud to be the national champion," he said." Fans in Slovakia are really warm with me and to take a win in front of them is a way to say thanks. Today I finished my road to the Tour de France in the best way. The feelings are good, better than at the Tour de Suisse, and the form is how I wanted."

"I had no chance to test me in mass sprit as we will see them in France, but for sure I know I’ll be stronger on the climbs. I’ll try to exploit this advantage in the battle for the green jersey against Cavendish, Greipel and the other contenders."

Jan Barta crossed the line as the first Czech and so took his first road race title despite being the only NetApp-Endura rider in the race. With his win in Friday's time trial, he has now earned himself the right to wear a champion's jersey in all races throughout the coming year.

“The race wasn’t easy for me today," he said. "I had thought I could get a result, but I was an individual starter today and had to beat a lot of teams. In the end it was a pretty close thing. Right now I’m just happy that I’m able to wear the jersey for a whole year – not just in the time trials but in every race."

The win was NetApp-Endura's first ever in a national road race championships and so carried special significance for team manager Ralph Denk.

“Jan put in a great performance," he said. "It’s really something special that he was able to clinch the title in the time trial and on the road. It’s an honor for the whole team to have a national champion in its ranks."

While Sagan will line up at the Tour de France in his new jersey, Barta will of course be absent as his team did not receive an invitation.

Result Slovakia:

1. Peter Sagan 4.38.22

2. Maros Kovac

3. Patrik Tybor

4. Marek Canecky

5. Roman Bronis

Results Czech Republic:

1. Jan Barta 4.38.22

2. Martin Bina

3. Petr Lechner

4. Jaroslav Kulhavy

5. Martin Hunal