Peter Sagan to ride mountain bike race at Rio 2016 Olympic Games
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 07/06/16 6:15pm
Peter Sagan will compete in cross-country mountain biking at the Olympic Games after trading his place in the road race, the Slovak Cycling Association has confirmed.
The 26-year-old is the world road race champion but Rio's hilly course does not suit his style and there is little chance of him challenging for a medal.
Sagan, who is a former junior world mountain bike champion, consequently explored the possibility of competing off-road at the Olympics and took part in two mountain bike races this spring.
The Slovak Cycling Association initially asked for a wildcard entry for Sagan into the mountain bike race in Rio, but they announced on the Slovak Olympic Committee's website on Tuesday that he has now been given the country's single spot.
In return, Sagan will allow Martin Haring, Slovakia's top-ranked mountain biker, to take Slovakia's lone place in the road race.
Peter Privara, president of the Slovak Cycling Association, said: "Everyone counted on the fact that Peter Sagan, as world champion, would start on the road. Peter, however, offered a seat to road cycling in exchange for MTB start in cross country.
"As we know, he will not only want to attend the Olympics, but to fight for the top positions."
Jan Zilovec, head of the Slovak Cycling Association's mountain biking commission, added: "We have long considered and thought about all the pros and cons. The aim is to reach for Slovakia the best possible result.
"Peter Sagan in the past managed to win the world [title] in mountain biking, so his chances of a good outcome are realistic."
The men's cross-country mountain bike race in Rio takes place on Sunday, August 21, which will give Sagan four weeks to prepare after he has finished riding the Tour de France.
