Defending champion Mathieu van der Poel goes into his title defence at the muddy, cobbled Paris-Roubaix bike race on April 7 sceptical over new safety measures in a week when several of the sport's biggest stars were hospitalised.
Miles of mud and millions of cobbles have lent the race the name "Hell of the North" and a reputation of the most gruelling one-day race in cycling.
In 2018, Belgian rider Michael Goolaerts was found slumped dead by the roadside after heart failure, and the peloton will pass a memorial to him along the route.
First run in 1896, broken wheels and broken bones have been part of the annual race due to the hefty hunks of cobble that surface around 56km of the 260km route.
As part of safety measures, organisers this week introduced a Uturn to slow the riders ahead of their entry into the legendary section outside the 650m-deep Arenberg coal mine.
Van der Poel, who is the road race world champion and one-day racing's hottest star, asked on social media platform X: "Is this a joke?"
The Dutchman, 29, added: "I think it's good that they're trying something. But, in my opinion, the chicane is not the right solution and also to do it in the week before the race is not the best option either."
Denne historien er fra April 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 07, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EVEREST CLIMBS TO GROUP 1 HEIGHTS
World’s richest sprint race gains recognition at its eighth running, as well as All-Star Mile
Heat stress Different work conditions require flexible guidelines on workers' attire
We thank Mr Rahul Gupta for his suggestions (Study standard heat-friendly work clothes for outdoor workers, Oct 8).
Airbus deliveries drop as suppliers struggle
PARIS Airbus deliveries fell 9 per cent in September to 50 jets compared with the same month in 2023, the European planemaker said on Oct 9, rekindling a debate over the strength of its industrial goals as suppliers struggle to keep up with demand.
Mental health ambassadors at all PAP branches by 2025
By 2025, all 93 People's Action Party (PAP) branches will have mental health ambassadors to promote mental well-being in every neighbourhood and support the work of MPs in addressing residents' mental health concerns.
Zelensky says there is 'real chance' to end war in 2025
He did not reveal how this could happen but is counting on support from key allies
Prabowo defends plan to expand government with ‘fat' Cabinet
JAKARTA Indonesia's Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto has defended his plan to expand government agencies, saying it is needed for a strong administration even if critics call it a \"fat\" Cabinet that will bloat the bureaucracy.
Baby in Malaysia has stage three ovarian cancer
Rhea Yasmine
Death penalty of Najib's ex-bodyguard commuted
Federal court reduces his sentence to 40 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has commuted the death sentence of an ex-police guard of former premier Najib Razak, after the country changed its law on capital punishment.
Patriarch of India's Tata Group dies at 86
Former chairman Ratan Tata’s business moves helped put country on world stage
NewJeans' Hanni to testify about workplace bullying at inquiry
K-pop idol Hanni of girl group NewJeans is taking a stand. She has announced her intention to testify before the South Korean National Assembly's Environment and Labour Committee as part of a workplace harassment inquiry slated for Oct 25.