Just surviving stage 19 of the Tour de France will be a success for Peter Sagan as he aims to battle through the pain barrier to secure a record-equalling sixth green jersey.
Sagan crashed on Wednesday and visited hospital following the 65-kilometre route to Saint-Lary-Soulan Col du Portet.
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He was fit enough to return to the peloton on stage 18 and briefly threatened to challenge for the victory before Arnaud Demare finished with a flourish.
The Slovakian admitted to being in pain all over his body after his eighth-place finish, but he is determined to get to Paris this weekend.
"It could have been worse," he said ahead of Friday's mountain-laden challenge from Lourdes to Laruns.
"I have pain everywhere, but I'm happy that I can still keep racing. My physical condition is a bit worse than it was, but I took advantage of it to live the race from a different perspective.
"It was a painful ride [on Thursday], but it was still better than it will be [on Friday]. But I can't complain since I'm still on the race.
"The big goal is to finish the Tour de France, to survive the mountain stage on Friday, and to reach Paris.
"The time trial on Saturday will be fine. The big challenge is [Friday's] mountain stage. I'm not afraid of anything. I'm going to suffer a little bit, that's all."
