INTERVIEW | "We have to accept that it's a really dangerous" - Tour de France rider sees no clear solution to make cycling safer

Cycling is becoming faster and faster, and at the same time more dangerous. This is the feeling that fans, sports directors and riders share. CyclingUpToDate talked to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe's Mick van Dijke who has shared his thoughts regarding this rising threat in the peloton.

At the team's presentation this Thursday afternoon in Lille, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe were one of the most cheered on teams. With the likes of Primoz Roglic, Florian Lipowitz and Jordi Meeus, the German team can also bring high expectations into the Grand Boucle. Amongst the group was van Dijke, a Tour debutant. "Really special. When I entered the podium it felt like stepping on a roller-coaster," he admits in words to our microphone.

"I did some big races: the Worlds, Flanders, Roubaix a couple times now... This is up there". The Dutch rouleur isn't here by chance however, having proven himself very valuable in the team's classics block - whilst himself riding to Top20 results at Dwars door Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix this year. Now he's at the Tour with a clear domestique role, to support his leaders.

However surprisingly, the task that the team has assigned to him is clearly of supporting it's GC contenders, over leadout duties for Jordi Meeus. "I think we are here with a clear goal and it's GC. If there's space for a sprint of course, we decide day by day and I'll be there for the guys. But for sure we have to keep Primoz and Florian out of problems that's the biggest focus".

Stage 1 already features strong winds and van Dijke's presence is crucial for the team. Above all, the team looks to not lose the race in such days. "It will be dangerous but I think not for GC. The most important thing is stay out of trouble, not lose much time and specially not crash because these things are going to build up to the final week".

We asked the 25-year old about the rising dangers in cycling and what could be improved, and were met with a response that is somewhat different than the usual spectrum. "Maybe we have to accept that it's a really dangerous, the level is rising in the peloton":

"A lot of people can be in the final - the important points - and that makes it really dangerous because a lot of people can be there. Maybe back in the day there were less guys there but now it's very big, there are so many sports directors cheering the guys up and maybe that's also one of the biggest problems".