"Is this a joke?" - Mathieu van der Poel headlines criticism of Trouée d'Arenberg change at Paris-Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix organizers have today confirmed that they have changed the route leading up to the famous Trouée d'Arenberg, in order to favour safety conditions. The tiny detour right before entering the sector has already been revealed, but some criticize the change including defending champion himself Mathieu van der Poel.

RAI journalist Stefano Rizzato has recorded a video of what is already confirmed to be the route change. This will be a small chicane, introduced in the intersection that comes before the entrance in the five-star sector. The video displays clearly what the riders will do, which will slow down speeds into the dangerous sector which is often the moment of most stress in the race.

This was requested by the CPA, but not all cyclists were happy with the change. Over social media there have been comments mocking the change, arguing that the dangerous point will simply be elsewhere, however the change was made with the clear purpose of having the riders enter the downhill sector with less speed.

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Still this criticism was not only among fans, but none other than Mathieu van der Poel also pronounced himself regarding the topic. "Is this a joke?" he wrote on Twitter. The change should not have an effect on the outcome of the race, but it is already visible to see mixed reactions from the change.