Peter Sagan still has much to accomplish on the road as he looks to build on his impressive record, but the three-time world champion would like to try his hand at gravel racing once his full-time job on the World Tour is done.

Slovakia is fascinated by the community spirit exhibited in gravel racing, and while he would rather participate than compete, the Bora-Hansgrohe leader believes the discipline has great potential to expand in the coming years.

"I am a professional road rider, and even though I enjoy the occasional fun ride, for the time being I will focus on road racing," he told Cycling News.

"If I were to consider competitive off-road racing, it would be mountain biking. But it's about having a good time with friends and other participants, enjoying the course and the scenery, not about results. It's not about competing in a gravel race, it's just about participating."

Sagan, who attends a pre-season training camp at Bora-Hansgrohe in Austria, occasionally trains off-road. When asked if he is excited about major off-road races in the US, such as the Leadville 100 and the gravel-focused Dirty Kanza, he expressed his eagerness to one day participate.

"Of course I'm excited about these events. In the future, I will probably participate in those events, but again, just as a participant. For me, it's not about the result, it's just about enjoying the ride, the atmosphere, and the interaction with the other riders.

"Don't forget that the last couple of years the Sagan Fondo has incorporated a lot of gravel roads. It was a good combination and people liked the format. After my road racing career is over, I'm thinking about getting into gravel racing for fun."

The growth in gravel racing and riding over the last two years has been significant. Racing has expanded dramatically and the scene has attracted World Tour riders. Peter Stetina and Lawrence ten Dam have turned to the discipline full time, and several riders, including a number of EF Pro Cycling riders, have participated in high-profile races such as Leadville and Canza.

It is gaining fans by being more inclusive as a participatory, community sport. Sagan has witnessed its growth and cites a number of reasons for Gravel's reputation.

"I think Gravel has a bright future. First, gravel is safer for the average amateur cyclist." That alone is an important psychological factor that will encourage more people to ride bicycles, especially in areas with heavy road traffic.

"In addition, there are all-new gravel bikes that allow people with little or no skills to easily ride on dirt roads. I'm sure you've seen my video of me riding my brand new Specialized Diverge that I shot in Colombia.

"Of course, you don't have to be as adventurous as I am, but with this bike that handles so well and is so stable, a wider range of people can take on this discipline. If you can combine asphalt and dirt roads in a safe and comfortable way, you have a wider choice of places to ride your bike."

The GRX is designed from the ground up for gravel adventures. Combine components to customize your bike for a variety of surfaces and ride as you wish! For more information: gravel.shimano.com/en/components