Having come under considerable criticism on Twitter and elsewhere for his post-race conduct on the Flanders podium yesterday when he pinched the rear of one of the podium girls, Peter Sagan has issued an apology over the matter via his Facebook page.
A sombre looking Sagan – who was wearing a plain white T-shirt rather than clothing from his Cannondale team – said that he was wrong and that he wanted to acknowledge that.
“I sincerely apologise to Maja [the woman in question] for what I did on the podium yesterday after the race, because it was wrong of me and I don’t [sic] thinking when I was up on the podium,” he said in the clip, which can be seen below.
“I never should have done it. I am so sorry and I hope that Maja and anyone else I have offended knows how sorry I am and accept my apology. I promise to act more respectfully in the future.”
At 23 years of age, Sagan has emerged as one of the most talented young riders in the peloton but has also attracted a range of responses to his race-end celebrations, which include wheelies and various exuberant victory salutes.
Some riders, including yesterday’s winner Fabian Cancellara, have accused him of being disrespectful to others in the manner of his celebrations, while others have said that he makes the sport more entertaining and exciting.
Yesterday’s podium appearance elicited less positive responses, though, and he and his team will now hope that his apology will be accepted.