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Peter Sagan will start 2018 season at the Tour Down Under

Three times world champion looking forward to starting his season at Australia's biggest race

Peter Sagan is heading back to Adelaide in January after deciding the Santos Tour Down Under is the “perfect” race to start his 2018 racing season.

Peter Sagan will make his second ppearance in the season-opening WorldTour event which is set to celebrate its 20th edition from January 13-21

Arguably the best cyclist on the planet and professional cycling’s most popular figure, Sagan said “I’m excited to be starting the 2018 season with the rainbow stripes across my back again in Australia at the Santos Tour Down Under."

"It is the perfect start to the UCI World Tour season each year, it has it all — a challenging and tough course, warm weather and the passionate fans that cheer for us day in day out no matter what."

“It is important to get the season off to a good start with BORA-hansgrohe, and there is no better place to do this than South Australia at the Tour Down Under.”

The 27-year-old Slovakian’s presence in this year’s race helped draw an estimated 850,000 spectators.

Sagan did not win a stage this year but finished second behind Australian sprint sensation Caleb Ewan three times, before going on to record 12 victories for the rest of the pro cycling season.

Sports Minister Leon Bignell said having Sagan at the TDU for the second year in a row was a “massive” vote of confidence in the race’s global reputation. “He is such an entertainer as well being one of the best cyclists of all time,” Mr Bignell said. “I know the fans will be thrilled to cheer Peter on in Adelaide. So cycling fans, spread the word and start organising your friends and family to come with you to watch the best riders in the world do battle in and around Adelaide.”

Defending champion Richie Porte is expected to return to the TDU and will lead an Australian heavy BMC squad that includes Simon Gerrans, Rohan Dennis and Miles Scotson.

Peter Sagan will start 2018 season at Tour Down Under