"I was one of the riders who asked ASO to intervene" - Tim Declercq explains why Paris-Roubaix chicane is the right decision

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."

"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."