Peter Sagan left the Tour de France with no chance of winning the green jersey, and saying goodbye to the Bora-hansgrohe team is also very close: The Slovakian, who had a weak fall, got out on Thursday with a knee injury and was possibly in the jersey of the best German team for the last time the big loop.

A change to the second-class French racing team TotalEnergies should already be determined according to various media reports.

"It is a difficult decision. My knee is swollen again and I cannot bend my leg. If you can't move your leg, it's not going to help, ”said Sagan on Thursday after leaving before the start of the twelfth stage. He only said a few words about his future insofar as he now wanted to prepare for the Olympic Games.

The actual topic is the team for which Sagan will drive in the future.

"You know very well that I will only be able to say something from August 1st," he replied to reporters, thus complying with the rules of the world association.

On the other hand, an agreement with Bora boss Ralph Denk would have long been established and could have been communicated before August.

Therefore, many things point to a farewell.

It is also unclear what will become of the planned meeting between Denk and Sagan management on the second day of rest.

"Wouldn't like a team in my team"

Sagan is no doubt courted. In addition to his three World Cup titles, he has won the green jersey seven times and has also had various classic successes. And at the age of 31, the Slovak has not yet reached the end of his capabilities, even if he is no longer the winning machine of the past few years.

However, the complete Sagan package is expensive. In addition to the alleged salary of five million euros per year, the superstar of the scene has an entourage of eleven incredible people. In addition to the drivers Daniel Oss, Erik Baska, Maciej Bodnar and his brother Juraj Sagan, he brings along two mechanics, two physiotherapists, a sports director, a press officer and another supervisor. So reported Patrick Lefevere, who therefore immediately refrained from making an obligation. “I don't want a team in my team,” said the boss of Deceuninck-QuickStep.

The French are apparently not deterred by these conditions, especially since they have a large energy company behind them.

And with a star like Sagan, the team should be invited to the big races despite being second class.

But Bora is apparently not out of the running either and would like to extend the contract.

Before that, Sagan actually wanted to win the green jersey for the eighth time on the tour.

But a heavy fall in the sprint of the third stage broke this dream.

Although he was in the front again in the Valence sprint, his knee, which was already damaged, hit the handlebars.

“Actually, I was on the mend.

And then that happened, ”Sagan said, bent.

The gap to green carrier Mark Cavendish was already well over 100 points.

In addition, more than a handful of drivers were placed in front of Sagan.

Denk didn't want to write off the green jersey yet, but there was little hope.

“We will decide every morning whether we want to do a sprint,” Denk told the dpa.

On Thursday morning, the decision was made to leave it all in view of the other goals.

"He gets every treatment that is possible and in the coming days we will see how he reacts to it," said Bora doctor Christopher Edler.

Should Sagan leave the team, it will definitely not be a farewell in green.