Cyclist Peter Sagan Pinches a Girl's Bottom, Apologizes after Criticism
Although he finished in second place in the 97th Tour of Flanders, Slovakian cyclist Peter Sagan managed to overshadow Fabian Cancellara's victory at the podium ceremony. As Leye, one of the two women standing beside Cancellara atop the podium was planting a kiss on the winner's cheek, Sagan not-so-subtly pinched her backside and smirked to the camera.
By Sadho Ram — 02 Apr 2013, 07:16 PM — Updated over 11 years ago
Peter Sagan says sorry for podium pinch
Peter Sagan (Cannondale) issued a video apology yesterday after pinching a podium girls backside after the Tour of Flanders causing outrage.
"It was wrong," he said in English, reading from a script, wearing non-branded clothing. "And I wasn't thinking."
People defending Sagan, including women over the pinch
When cyclist and writer Michael Hutchinson tweeted "Shame that Peter Sagan has so much class on a bike and so very little off it," he was bombarded with plenty of people defending Sagan, including women
Image via imgur.comCyclist and writer Michael Hutchinson was bombarded with plenty of people defending Sagan, including women for saying "Shame that Peter Sagan has so much class on a bike and so very little off it"
jezebel.com
Cyclist Peter Sagan Grabs Podium Girl's Butt
As the women leaned in to give the Swiss champion the customary peck on the cheek, Sagan extended a cheeky hand of friendship – and pinched Leye.
guyism.com
"It was completely inappropriate. You can't do something like that," said Leye, whom Sagan pinched.
"Why didn't I just turn around and slap him? There were one million people watching. I was surprised to feel his hand while I was kissing Cancellara."
The 23-year-old is regarded as one of cycling’s promising young talents, known for excelling in almost all cycling disciplines, except for high mountains, with which he can struggle.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Jane Aubrey, editor of Australian website CyclingNews, condemned Sagan's actions. "Anyone excusing Sagan's behaviour due to his age, needs to think again. In the workplace, it's called harassment,"
sbs.com.auPreviously, Sagan had signed a fan's boobs even though she didn't ask for it
In Brief: about Peter Sagan
Sagan at the 2010 Tour of California, where he finished eighth overall as well as winning the points and young rider classifications.
Image via wikimedia.org
Sagan at the 2012 Tour de France. Sagan won the points classification, winning three stages during the race.
Image via wikimedia.org
Peter Sagan is a Slovak professional road bicycle racer for World Tour team Cannondale. Sagan had a successful junior mountain bike racing career.
Sagan is considered one of cycling's most promising young talents, having earned many prestigious victories by just his early twenties.
He has won six stages in Grand Tours: three in the Vuelta a España in 2011 and three in the Tour de France in 2012, helping him secure the points classification jersey.