(Reuters) – Mathieu van der Poel is setting his sights on defending his Paris Roubaix title this weekend, but when it comes to safety in racing, he believes that the riders themselves pose the greatest danger, the Dutch cyclist stated on Friday.
The Tour of the Basque Country’s stage four on Thursday was marred by a devastating crash that resulted in Jonas Vingegaard sustaining multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, several ribs, pulmonary contusion, and a pneumothorax.
The crash occurred during a sharp turn on a fast descent, leading race leader Primoz Roglic to withdraw from the tour, while Remco Evenepoel suffered fractures to his right collarbone and shoulder blade.
“I believe the most hazardous aspect of cycling is the riders themselves,” Van der Poel remarked at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s race. “We take calculated risks, but the crux of the issue is that everyone vies for the same position at the front, which is not always feasible.”
“While improvements can be made to enhance safety, complete security is unattainable,” he added.
The reigning world champion claimed his third Tour of Flanders victory just last week, and is now the frontrunner to defend his Paris Roubaix title this Sunday.
In an attempt to slow down riders as they approach the treacherous cobbled section of Trouee d’Arenberg, known as one of the most perilous parts of the race, organizers have introduced a chicane.
The decision to alter the route was made shortly before the race, prompting Van der Poel to express skepticism after watching a video of the chicane on the X social media platform, asking, “Is this a joke?”
“While I appreciate the effort to make changes, I believe the chicane is not the ideal solution, especially considering the timing just days before the race,” he commented. “Arenberg is undeniably one of the riskiest sections on the calendar, so it’s positive that modifications are being considered, but change isn’t always the best course of action.”
“Entering Arenberg in 20th place is manageable, as you’re still in contention, but navigating the chicane in the same position could result in a bottleneck for those behind, potentially causing a significant time deficit,” Van der Poel cautioned.
Despite his belief that riders themselves pose the greatest risk, Van der Poel indicated that he will not alter his strategy for the race as he aims for his sixth Monument title.
“As I mentioned, the riders present the primary challenge, but I am also part of that equation—if you aspire to win, you must be at the forefront during pivotal moments,” he stated.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
