Published August 5, 2014 04:33PM
August 5th, 2014 – Despite a report from Slovakian media that Peter Sagan had signed with Tinkoff-Saxo, and the Associated Free Press picking up the story, it appears the news maybe premature. Oleg Tinkoff, the vocal Russian Billionaire behind Tinkoff – Saxo has taken to Twitter denying the signing, saying, “i have to announce that we did not sign Peter Sagan. i believe he goes to Alonso team”
peloton/Yuzuru Sunada
The Slovak daily, ‘Sport’, had reported, “The three-time winner of the green jersey from the Tour de France has signed a contract with the team of Russian entrepreneur Oleg Tinkov,” While the team is set to make rider announcements after the Tour of Poland, and some appear to be signings from Cannondale, Sagan is said not to be among them. Current reports in the cycling media point to veteran Ivan Basso joining Tinkoff – Saxo and numerous Cannondale riders going to a revamped Slipstream squad with Jonathan Vaughters, although Sagan has not been tied to that team.
Although the 24-year-old Slovak won the Tour’s green jersey for the third year in a row last month, he failed to win a stage this year. He has had a fairly unsuccessful season by his high standards, with victory at E3 Harelbeke his only major win this season, other than the Slovakian national road race.
He was 2nd in Strade Bianche, 3rd at Gent-Welvelgem, sixth in Paris-Roubaix and 10th at Milan-San Remo. He also finished second in four Tour stages while coming fourth on another four.
Sagan has been courted by Astana as well as the new Spanish team being built for next season by Formula One star Fernando Alonso. Tinkoff has an extended contract with Alberto Contador, and signing the perennial green jersey winner would create tactical issues should the two ride together next year. Despite Oleg Tinkoff’s tweets, speculation still exists that Sagan will move to Tinkoff-Saxo, but it will not be announced at the conclusion of the Tour of Poland.