WORLD CHAMPION PETER Sagan pipped Alexander Kristoff in a photo finish to win the 16th stage of the Tour de France this afternoon.
Race leader Chris Froome came home in 14th place, in a much-reduced peloton at the end of the 209km stage from Moirans-en-Montagne to Bern in Switzerland, to maintain his advantage in the competition for the yellow jersey.
Irish rider Dan Martin also finished safely in the peloton (28th) and remains in ninth spot in the general classifcation, just over five minutes behind Froome.
Slovak Sagan claimed his third victory at the Tour this year and seventh in total in the third photo finish of the 2016 race.
This victory ensured this will go down as Sagan’s best Tour yet, having also held the yellow jersey for three days during the first week.
He won the second and 11th stages before this, but his third stage victory outstrips the two gained in each of 2012 and 2013.
And as he’s well on his way to winning a fifth straight green jersey, the 26-year-old is enjoying his best Tour yet — and the best season of his career.
He was world champion back in September and then won his first prestigious “Monument” one-day classic at April’s Tour of Flanders.
“It was a very long stage, very hot, I am so happy and proud of my team because they did a very good job,” Sagan said afterwards.
“A lot of times I lose the race like this and today I won. I believe in destiny. The fans from Slovakia, it’s very nice they come here to see me and to cheer for me.”
Tomorrow will be the second and final rest day of the Tour as the race heads into its last five stages, wrapping up in the French capital on Sunday.
© AFP 2016
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