cycling: World Cycling Championships in Bergen: Peter Sagan writes history

Cycling: Peter Sagan has definitely made history. For the third time in a row, the Slovak became world champion today in Bergen. In the sprint of a larger group, he prevailed just ahead of local heroes Alexander Kristoff (Norway) and Michael Matthews (Australia). He drew level with the great Eddy Merckx in terms of world championship titles. But Peter Sagan is the first pro to win the rainbow jersey three times in a row. hat trick!

Andrey Amador breaks away early

A lot was discussed before the start of the World Championship road race: which type of driver has the advantage? How fit is Peter Sagan? Can Tom Dumoulin wear his third gold medal? One thing was clear: the 267-kilometer course will demand everything from the pros. At 10:05 am, the 196 starters from 44 nations set off from the Norwegian municipality of Rong. Ten drivers, including the well-known Andrey Amador (Costa Rica) from Team Movistar, decided to flee early right after the start. Under the speed dictate of the national teams Belgium and Slovakia, the peloton entered the circuit with a deficit of more than nine minutes. The atmosphere in the Norwegian city was once again excellent today. Numerous fans lined the streets to celebrate their heroes. Then the Salmon Hill with a length of 1,5 kilometers and an average gradient of 6,4 percent was crossed for the first time.

The whole bunch is together now 🏁 82km. It's getting tense already! #Bergen2017 pic.twitter.com/YFauPMZ9qi

- UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 24, 2017

Belgium brings back the escapees

After a flight of around 160 kilometers, the top ten were caught again. For a long time they were in the lead with a lead of almost ten minutes, but the Belgian national team in particular kept up the pace in the peloton. The pace was briefly slowed down after Julien Vermote (Belgium) fell, but luckily he wasn't seriously injured. Things had gone much worse for veteran Mathew Hayman (Australia) beforehand. The 39-year-old fell because of an escort vehicle and had to retire from the race. A bitter loss for Michael Matthews (Australia). When Marco Haller (Austria) and Tim Wellens competed, the next top group was formed. Also present were Lars Boom (Netherlands), David de la Cruz (Spain), Alessandro De Marchi (Italy), Jack Haig (Australia), Jarlinson Pantano (Colombia) and Odd Christian Eiking (Norway). The follow-up work in the peloton was then taken over by the Poles for Michal Kwiatkowski and the French for Julian Alaphilippe.

4 laps to go #bergen2017 pic.twitter.com/l3onwf3s8o

— Canadian Cyclist (@cdncyclist) September 24, 2017

Nils Politt tries in vain - group made

With around 45 kilometers to go, the breakaway had a lead of around 40 seconds. Then Nils Politt launched the first attack for Germany. But closing the gap alone seemed to be an almost impossible task. So the German was caught again after a few kilometers, as were some drivers from the leading group. As it climbed Salmon Hill for the penultimate time, it launched a series of attacks. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands) and Tony Gallopin (France) couldn't break away, but at least the last fugitive was caught and the field was severely decimated. On the descent, a few pros who had been left behind were able to catch up again, but this increase in speed certainly hurt some.

Group of 20 goes clear
Dumoulin and Boom at the front#Bergen2017 pic.twitter.com/VHizz5nILL

— Canadian Cyclist (@cdncyclist) September 24, 2017

Peter Sagan is the king of cycling

80 to 100 racers went into the last lap together. There the Germans tried again with Paul Martens. Sebastian Langeveld (Netherlands) called. But the Italians and the French neutralized the situation. Then things got serious: France's captain Julian Alaphilippe attacked at Salmon Hill. The Italian Gianni Moscon drove up to him. Behind them there was a gap ten kilometers before the finish. The lead wasn't very big, but a controlled pursuit couldn't be organised. Most of the helpers were either flat or they were already left behind. Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus) and Lukas Pöstlberger (Austria) tried to pursue the duo as a duo. Meanwhile, Moscon lost contact with Alaphilippe. But in the end all four were caught. A relatively large group sprinted. Alexander Kristoff (Norway) started the sprint early – too early! Peter Sagan (Slovakia) scurried out of his slipstream and sprinted to his third straight world title. Third was Michael Matthews (Australia). The Swiss Michael Albasini was a strong seventh.

photo finish #Bergen2017 pic.twitter.com/LYovtwv3HK

— CyclingHub (@CyclingHubTV) September 24, 2017

Result of the 2017 World Championship road race in Bergen