“You’re Already a Legend”: 34-Year-Old Cycling Star Braces for Heart Surgery Encore, Fans Rally as Olympic Dreams Hang in Balance

Besides sprinting, the cycling realm has also made phenomenal waves in these competitive years. Peter Sagan, a dominant name in cycling, has taken his home country Slovakia to significant heights. Signed up with the Specialized Factory Racing in the 2024 season of mountain bike racing, the 34-year-old boasts 121 road racing victories. With 12 Tour de France and 18 Grand Tour stages under his belt, Sagan is not willing to stop. But his heart was on the verge of.

Willing to give it a medal shot at the Paris Olympics, Sagan faced a blow at a recent mountain bike racing event. His heart was racing a little abnormally to exceed 200 beats per minute. Immediately after, he turned to professionals to fix the arrhythmias in his heart. But now, fresh off a surgery, he’s heading to the OT again.

Slovak Cycling star faces a setback again

Resorting to Instagram, the 34-year-old has left his fanbase concerned with an unexpected post. The caption says, “Hi there! While I was training on the rocky trails in Marseille, my heart hit a few bumps ♥️ Nothing to worry about, you could say that my heart needs a pit stop”. The following statement said that he’s going to undergo another heart surgery shortly.

Further on, he capped off “thanks to my friend, sports cardiologist Dr. Roberto Corsetti, I am sure I will be back in the saddle very soon”. Three World Championships and one European Championship among others were on the way to culminate in Paris. In one Slovak Cup event, he borrowed a bicycle from his sister to participate, had the entire world rooting for him on a global level. In January 2023, the 33-year-old raced at the Vuelta a San Juan.

But in the tail end, he announced the step down from road cycling to focus on cross-country. But the Olympics will be far-fetched if he takes time to heal. But his fans have already jumped in to extend their heartfelt wishes for the icon’s quick recovery.

Fans hope for a quick recovery

One fan seemed like a true well-wisher when he said, “Don’t push it man, your family needs you around”. While another fan wished a speedy recovery, commenting, “Savage…speedy recovery champ…yet another heart issue in pro sport”. Another fan said, “You’re already a legend.. we want to see you around for the long haul”.

Fellow cyclist Victor Koretzgy wrote, “Back stronger soon”. Another fan chimed in to say, “Oh my. Please, Listen to the doctors”. On his way to Paris, Sagan’s strides with the Specialized Factory Racing have also been suspended. With hope in their hearts and clasped hands, his fanbase looks forward to a comeback.

READ MORE: “Time Has Come” – 37-Year-Old Dual Giro Champion Marks Climax to Almost 2-Decade Cycling Tenure