Known for his exceptional bike-handling skills, Peter Sagan rarely hits the deck but today he was involved in a tumble near the end of stage 19 of the Tour de France. Regretting having lost another chance to win a stage, he openly admits that he was the first rider to go down.

Peter Sagan was on a mission in today's stage of the Tour de France as it presented him with what was probably his final chance to win a stage. Things were looking good for the Slovakian with 3km to go but the disaster struck.

A big crash brought down several riders and while TV footage only show that Sagan was one of many riders to go down, the Slovakian admits that he was the rider to bring down his colleagues.

"I don't know why I've crashed. I was in a good position... for crashing. I believe it's because of the wet road. I couldn't stop anymore. I was the first to crash.

"I'm not hurt. I just felt I fell on old injuries. But there's nothing bad. I hope to make it to Paris, with the green jersey, which was my goal at this Tour de France.

"I was in ninth position at three km to go, a very good position, but while I was exiting the turn my wheel slid on the wet road and I fell down. I have a few bruises on the right side of my body but I'm ok. I didn't break anything and this is good.
 
"This Tour de France is simply very unlucky for me. Today was a very good chance, I wanted to do my best but I crashed. Really, I don't know what to say any more.

"I already said: it's just my destiny, this are cycling - maybe next year I'll win ten stages, but now I have to accept this. I know there's another chance in Paris, but before thinking about that, I want to recover from today's crash."