Peter Sagan has responded to footage of him shouldering Belgian rider Maxime Vantomme out of the way during Gent-Wevelgem by saying “I’m sorry but these things happen.”
The incident happened on the Kemmelberg climb as the eventual winner Greg Van Avermaet was attacking.
Sagan can be seen at the very bottom of the shot, moving towards Vantomme on his left before seemingly body-checking him out of the way.
For those who missed it (we did too) - A not so classy move by @petosagan #GWE pic.twitter.com/7SnN0PMKWL
— CyclingHub (@CyclingHubTV) March 30, 2017
@Vannieuwkerke @sporza hier ook duidelijk de actie van Sagan te zien zondag op de Kemmelberg! pic.twitter.com/15rsjQCsUI
— Joachim Verhaeghe (@JoachimVerhaegh) March 29, 2017
When the footage was brought to his attention, Sagan said:
I just saw the video of the contact with @MaximeVantomme at @GentWevelgem. I wasn't aware of it. I'm sorry but these things happen in races
— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) March 30, 2017
Vantomme himself doesn’t seem too bothered, observing:
@cronoescalada That's the life of a small cyclist.
— Maxime Vantomme (@MaximeVantomme) March 27, 2017
Tom Boonen also acknowledged the incident, but said only:
@haseveleon @FrederikPalle @NikiTerpstra @hlnsport @petosagan yep I now I was behind him
— tom boonen (@tomboonen1) March 27, 2017
Boonen did however have stronger words for Sagan’s post-race comments about team-mate Niki Terpstra.
The Slovak had observed, “It’s not sport, it’s a cheap game,” about his rival’s refusal to work with him.
Boonen responded:
@MBerreth maybe we should give napkins to everyone who wants to cry after the finish.
— tom boonen (@tomboonen1) March 26, 2017
Coffee stop turns into chat with Peter Sagan for one road.cc reader
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.