World road race champion Peter Sagan will seek Olympic gold in Rio on his mountain bike.
The Slovak Olympic Committee announced Tuesday that Sagan, one of the most popular cyclists in the world, was awarded its lone starting spot in the mountain biking event at the Summer Games.
Sagan tested the road course in January and decided it was too hilly for him to contend. So, he turned his attention to mountain biking, where he is a former junior world champion.
Peter Privara of the Slovak Cycling Association said Sagan agreed to give up his road spot for the mountain biking spot. Martin Haring and Patrik Tybor will start the road race instead.
Sagan will compete in the Tour de France in July before turning his attention to off-road racing.
