Sagan secures green jersey

Slovakian champion Peter Sagan made the Tour de France green jersey his outright, at least temporarily, after a sixth-place finish on the race’s second stage on Monday. But the Liquigas ace admitted taking part in his first bunch sprint on the world’s biggest bike race race had been a hair-raising affair. “It’s the first time that I’ve done a sprint on the Tour de France and I have to say it is a lot different from everything I’ve experienced before,” said Sagan. “The fight for position is very hard and it’s also dangerous.”Sagan, who claimed his maiden stage win on the world’s biggest race at his first attempt on Sunday, was one of the favourites for victory at the end of the mainly flat 207km ride from Vise to Tournai. In the end of a classic bunch sprint Britain’s Mark Cavendish (Sky) surged out from behind the wheel of German rival Andre Greipel (Lotto) to claim the 21st win of his career on the race. Sagan had been well-positioned, but a moment’s lapse of concentration proved costly. “I was well-positioned behind Greipel, and the next minute I was a lot further behind,” added the Slovakian. “I have to learn to be more aggressive in these situations. But it was a very good experience.” His capture of the points green jersey, the points competition’s prize which usually goes to the sprinters, helped make amends. He started the stage with it on his back but only because its legitimate wearer, Fabian Cancellara, is leading the race and thus wearing the more prestigious yellow jersey. The Slovakian, at 22 years old the second youngest rider in the race, virtually secured the lead of the points competition when he took seventh place in the stage’s intermediate sprint to add nine points to his tally. His sixth-place finish added a further 20 points to his tally to take his total to 78, 15 ahead of Cavendish (63). “I tried my best today and that will help when it comes to the next sprint,” he added. “In any case I’m starting to like the green jersey and aim to take it all the way to Paris.” from gulfnews.com