Yesterday our Slovak cyclist made a mark in history and put a smile on many people’s faces. Peter, twenty-six years old, confirmed his life form by winning stage two of the Tour de France and it’s the first Slovak who will wear the yellow jersey for the leading rider. How did he get this far?
He was born in Žilina as the youngest son from four siblings – sister Danka, brother Milan and Juraj. His parents owned a small grocery store. He first tasted victory at the age of seven, when together with his older brother Juraj, who is a big inspiration and source for support won in his age group at the bicycle race organized by a cycling guilds Žilina in Žilina Park. He had tried the football, but his true sports love was on a sport bike.
As a junior in 2006, he surprised everyone by winning the race Orlické, which represents one of the toughest junior racing stage races in the Czech Republic. He finished first in the third stage of the race newcomers Asvo Radjugendtour Erlach in Austria and in the same year as sixteen years old won the bronze on Slovak Junior Championship, finishing behind his brother Juraj.
In the beginning of his first season among seniors, he spend his time in Liquigas training camp in Tuscany, where he trained together with his current colleague Roman Kreuziger. His performance grew and he turned his first appearance into second place in the race “Po chodníkoch kráľa Nikolu,“ in Montenegro.
In his first season of Tour de France in 2012, he gained world attention by achieving three first places and a green shirt for the winner of sprinters. He won the green shirt for sprinters four times in a row. Last year he changed his team Italian Cannondale for Russian, Saxo-Tinkoff.
When not sitting on the bike, he dedicates his time to his wife Linde, a finalist of Miss Slovakia 2007, whom he married in November of last year. In his short free time, he devotes his time just for her, or his close friends. He admitted that in the past when he still had more time he used to play PlayStation, ride a motorcycle, or in the winter he did snowboard or skis. He started to avoid extreme sports because of the risk of potential injury. Peter chose to have a base in Monaco in 2014 because the city fulfilled his conditions – weather, training and peace.
He is a great role model for many people in Slovakia by popularizing cycling, as evidence we can see the so-called “Saganománia,” wave of enthusiasm that brought many Slovaks to ride a bicycle. In 2013 and 2015 he was awarded as Athlete of the Year and if he continues his momentum, he might win it again this year.
foto: wikipedia.org