The arrival of a strong personality like Peter Sagan and his entourage can easily transform an entire organization. But Benoit Genozeau, sporting director of Total Energy, told RTBF Sport (opens in new tab) that the team intends to remain true to its identity while giving Sagan the freedom to race on instinct and remain a showman.

"We're at the beginning of a joint effort," he said. 'A few weeks ago we met Peter in person for the first time and visited the team headquarters. We are very excited about this visit because our identity is strong and we are assertive about it. With this visit, we wanted Peter to discover the soul of our team."

The team is preparing for its first training camp in Calpe, Spain, which will take place from Tuesday to December 17: Maciej Bodnar, Daniel Os, Yulay Sagan, sport director Jaan Valach, mechanics, trainers, and his own press officer!

"He is someone who needs an intimate and trusting environment," says Genozzo. That's why we decided to bring him in, along with his teammates and staff. The challenge for us now is also to integrate him well into the team. ...... We want to continue to cultivate the spirit of the team, our way of doing things and our instincts. And we want to achieve great things with Peter."

Sagan is best known for his victories in classics such as Paris-Roubaix, Tour de Flanders, and Ghent-Wevelgem, seven green jersey wins in the Tour de France, 12 stage wins in the Tour, and a points prize at this year's Giro d'Italia.

Also known as a showman, he talks a lot in a light-hearted manner ("Why so serious?" he has been asked), but can be gruff with the media and aggressive on the bike. He was banned from the Tour de France for beating Mark Cavendish and punished for snacking on a podium hostess.

Genozzo welcomes Sagan's personality and the star power it brings. 'Of course, we want to keep this aspect of the rider on the team. But an iconic rider like Thomas Voeckler still radiated something and did not leave the public indifferent.

"We like it and greatly welcome this asperity. It is built on a balance between show and performance. The two are not in conflict. Moreover, Peter Sagan has demonstrated this throughout his career," says Genozzo.

The team has already experienced Sagan's power before his official arrival date. "There is a lot of interest, requests, and questions about his arrival at ....... We believe his arrival will help in the development of our team project. We see his arrival as an aid to the development of our team project. We want to keep our identity and I think Peter wants to find his instincts and a certain freedom by coming to us."

He denies that Sagan is on a downward spiral. Sagan's wins per season are down, but he is still more successful each year than most.

"If you look at his 2021 season, he won the World Tour, the Giro, and the Giro points prize. He started in Covid and had a big crash in the Tour de France, forcing him to abandon the race. But it was still a great season.

"Maybe the trick is to find a certain motivation now. After being on a team for so many years, there is a certain weariness. Our challenge will be to find small changes and bring something new to the team so that he can achieve great things again."