"I’d rather crash on some holy cobbles than a few feet shy of the promised land" - Chris Horner weighs in on controversial Paris-Roubaix chicane
CyclingThursday, 04 April 2024 at 14:30
If you haven't seen it yet, where have you been? On Wednesday it was announced that Paris-Roubaix 2024 will include a chicane before the famous Trouée d'Arenberg cobblestone section, in a decision that has sent the cycling world into a frenzy.
Ever since the news was officially announced and video footage of the new course was shared, familiar names across both the current peloton and riders from years gone by have reacted and given various differing opinions on the matter too, making it such an interesting discussion.
Showing the controversial nature of the decision, arguably two of the big favourites for victory this weekend are on contrasting sides of the argument as Mathieu van der Poel asked "Is this a joke?" Whilst Matteo Jorgenson asked "Is this what fans want to see? Riders completely covered in blood after sliding face-first at 50mph/80kph on sharp rocks in a forest?"
Jorgenson's compatriot, former Vuelta a Espana winner Chris Horner, thinks riders would much rather crash on the infamous and historic cobbles than just before it however. "Personally, I’d rather crash on some holy cobbles than wrapped up in brutal fencing and/or pavement a few feet shy of the promised land," he writes on his official X (Twitter) account. "I think a lot of riders will end their day thinking 'well, I almost made it to the Arenberg…'"
What do you think? To make your opinion known, vote in our poll: Paris-Roubaix chicane; positive safety improvement or 'a joke'?
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Horner has zero skin in the cobbles game as he never competed at Roubaix! Why are they giving this doper a platform ?
I don't think Chris Horner doped.
I hope not, he didn’t have many suspect performances, except…
The one as a really old man beating the shit out of a super talent in his prime on the most unlikely terrain and then hardly getting a job offer again. And then there was the story with the weird blood values (although I guess many can’t understand that blood is illegal) which he tried to hide after publication, and the missed control and, it’s all flooding back now, rider 15?
Sorry, he may have started (too) late but I’m pretty sure that was what lead to having his best results at an age when most have long since retired.
If he’d sat around lazily in his early career it would be more credible but being a pro for that long without ever managing to show a decent result and then suddenly achieving podiums and wins in some of the biggest races in your very late 30’s?
Oh, also coincidentally just when you’re taken under the wing of one certain captain I’ll armstrong you who you never suspected in the least?
There's no other way to explain his Vuelta win at 40 yrs old against a stellar field. And he was associated with LA's teams over the years so don't be blind.
Firstly Chris Horner can say what he wants coz none of his season, results, body or finances will ever be affected by any crash due to this.
Secondly, and here I’m disappointed in MvdP, this issue has been very public since a while and anyone who had a good suggestion would have had no difficulty getting it evaluated.
Some of the riders make it a bit too easy on themselves, waiting to complain or comment in retrospect. Or blaming the UCI after a crash if something can be seen as having been dangerous, but the fact that riders may take too much risk sometimes is never the issue.
In the end, the only thing that will stop all these discussions is the UCI imposing that each rider signs a pre-race waiver acknowledging they are aware of all the course’s dangers and are wholly responsible for whatever happens without external interference (spectator stupidity, etc.)