The Boy Wonder

Peter Sagan may just be the single most talented cyclist to emerge since Eddy Merchx. At the age of just twenty-three he has already accomplished more in pro-cycling than successful riders twice his age. According to himself and Cannondale he will become even better in 2014:

“He’s got more experience now,” Cannondale general manager Roberto Amadio told VeloNews. “He’s not going to make the same mistakes that, for example, he made in Milano-Sanremo.”

Although Sagan managed to win the classics Gent–Wevelgem, Brabantse Pijl, and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, and numerous other races, he still lucked out on the significant ones; namely the Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, E3 Harelbeke and the Tour of Flanders. In each of these races he had to make due with a disappointing overall second place, but according to Amadio, those results are all about to be changed around.

“There’s not much of a difference from second to first place,” Amadio said. “He can win those classics, he just needs to have the condition, the team, and luck. He’s got the team and his condition should be fine next spring, so he just needs some luck.”

“He’s not going to make the same error in Sanremo again. Another year’s experience is going to make a difference. He learns from certain errors and picks up on the tactics, another year will only be to his advantage.”

Sagan’s Cannondale team has been significantly strengthened, and may just deal the young Slovak a better hand during the Classics’ game.

“We’ve strengthened the group around Sagan,” Amadio added. “We hired Oscar Gatto (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) and Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil-DCM), two important elements for Peter in the classics.”

No matter how many classics he will win during next season Peter Sagan is a boon to any team, and with his contract expiring in 2015, Amadio may have to up his game if he wants to keep his boy wonder.

“We will face that when it’s time. I’m just thinking about 2014 now,” Amadio added to Velonews. “We’ll make our offer, the other teams will make their offers and he’s going to have to decide.”