"I was one of the riders who asked ASO to intervene" - Tim Declercq explains why Paris-Roubaix chicane is the right decision
CyclingThursday, 04 April 2024 at 11:00
The massive news that Paris-Roubaix 2024 will include a chicane leading up to the famous Trouée d'Arenberg, in an attempt to improve safety conditions, has been met with a mixed reaction by the peloton it's fair to say.
Reigning Paris-Roubaix winner, Mathieu van der Poel has been the most notable critic, retweeting footage of the new part of the course with the caption "Is this a joke?" The decision hasn't been met totally with criticism however, and one of those champions of the chicane is Lidl-Trek's 'tractor', Tim Declercq.
"I was one of the riders who asked ASO to intervene," Declercq explained in conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws. "It's crazy, the section is getting worse year after year. So many careers have been broken because of it. Something had to change."
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"Everyone says: cycling should be safer. But as soon as someone comes up with a proposal, the disadvantages are pointed out," concludes the vastly experienced, 35-year-old Belgian, who has nine Paris-Roubaix starts on his palmares. "That is also typical cycling."
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- There are a lot of desperate nobodies out there who can’t keep the satisfaction of an encounter in their private circle but hope to be in the spotlight for 15s by association. I guess you’re thinking of this Artem guy but at least he’s kind of known by riders and probably asks? This is only the beginning though, soon there will be tour guides taking groups along the training routes in the hope of encountering someone, a mix of the Hollywood home tours and safaris. I don’t understand the obsession when you can basically meet plenty of ex-pros, even Tour winners etc. in person once they open their retirement shops or organise training rides for enthusiasts.Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- Actually, it’s more a case of obstruction of the rider behind by messing with his Oxygen mix ;-) (and many are more Sulpho than Nitro by the smell of things)Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- Your logic holds at best during a race and even then, public is supposed to leave riders space and alone, hence authorities who move crowds for riders even at the busiest of climbs. You seem to have an almost perverse sense of intimacy celebrities should allow the public in the name of ENTERTAINMENT. If even training is now part of that entertainment then you know what, make the whole business pay-based. And even then, ask the price for tagging on. before doing so.Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- is this the top tier cyclist caught doping we were promised ?
ChillingCyclist29-01-2026 - Farting while you're on a sprint is mechanical doping. It gives you temporary nitro boost. It's fair to report that.
KerisVroom29-01-2026 - It's a good one, maybe we'll find out 1 day why...
leedorney29-01-2026 - Simply put, the blogger posts to show how he was keeping up with a pro rider (otherwise, he wouldn't keep looking down at his computer and record the numbers). Nothing more to this than vanity and whoring for attention, and when an accident happens, the better for the blogger to get more attention through clicks, and as a result more people commenting (like me) and can subscribe (not me) to the so-called wanna-be instagram 'blogger'. How the world has changed for attention.b3tlla29-01-2026
- Can anything in sport happen anymore without drama, accusations, and sensationalism from social media types? Let it be for Christ sake.
Brucegel29-01-2026 - I see. From a different perspective, all people are equal. If I was standing beside a cycling "star" and a cycling "public" person, there would be no preference of attention given to one or the other. I appreciate the pro cyclist performances equally with others.itsent29-01-2026
- Mm's comment was nonsensical, thus I offered a nonsensical reply. Nonetheless, the logic tracks. Barriers are not at the zoo to keep "normal public" away from the animals. If they wished to do that, the zoo would just close and release the animals back to their natural habitats. The zoo is there for the public. Similarly, pro cycling exists to entertain the public for the purpose of marketing and entertainment.itsent29-01-2026
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Chicane just before the start of Trouee d'Arenberg 🪨 sector. #ParisRoubaix
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