Paris - Roubaix 2024, one day monument, April 7

[pastronef]

Everyone and their mother will do cx next winter. Heusden-Zolder chicane will be the perfect playground to practice for Roubaix

no please there are already too many roadies racing cyclocross. I'll be happy the day VDP-WVA (Pidcock too) just leave the crossers alone, to fight among themselves

 

[Extinction]

I don't see how that is killing cycling. It's basically just picking a more technical route in order to slow the peloton.

Let's see it in action first.

We shall, and it will be keystone cops.

 

[Didinho]

Nvm, the whole chicane affair has gone from slightly irritating to actually quite funny, can't wait to see the drama unfold myself.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1775599036214776076

I’m just glad Mathieu already heard about it.

 

[repre]

Anyone have any idea of how many riders are actually members of the CPA and how many voices of concern from the CPA members, and not the steering committee, that it takes for something like this change to be implemented?

It requires only voices in Adam Hansen's head to ruin everything he touches

 

[ManicJack]

I’m just glad Mathieu already heard about it.

That's why I asked up thread if anyone knew how many members the CPA actually has on the start list. I've heard first hand rumblings about many riders finding out about it through social media. Ironically, the rider that I heard from first hand is actually a member of the CPA and seems to have not known anything about the negotiation for a course change.

 

[Didinho]

That's why I asked up thread if anyone knew how many members the CPA actually has on the start list. I've heard first hand rumblings about many riders finding out about it through social media. Ironically, the rider that I heard from first hand is actually a member of the CPA and seems to have not known anything about the negotiation for a course change.

I hope their are riders of every PT team in it but it seems not if they have to hear it on social media.
I also read Michael Rogers resigned from the “TT committee” after the helmet rule. Don’t think that’s a good sign in general when an ex WC leaves because no room for innovation I guess.

If they want do to something about safety, start using heavier bikes again or something. The roads aren’t the problem (most of the time), the riders are making it dangerous. I think Oli Naesen said the new descent in the Ronde was even more dangerous than the one they removed (where Wout, Mads and Jasper crashed out).

 

[Ricco']

That's why I asked up thread if anyone knew how many members the CPA actually has on the start list. I've heard first hand rumblings about many riders finding out about it through social media. Ironically, the rider that I heard from first hand is actually a member of the CPA and seems to have not known anything about the negotiation for a course change.

From their website, all professional riders are by default members of the CPA.

Representing the CPA on UCI comissions are the following three persons. Also from their website, the CPA steering committee consists of this three plus several others (some are former pro cyclists, but no active cyclist is part of any of the organs).

The members of CPA representing riders within the main UCI Committees are:​

• Adam Hansen, president of the CPA, sits on the PCC (Professional Cycling Council) which gathers three times a year and brings together all cycling representations: CPA, Athletes Committee, AIOCC, AIGCP, and the UCI. He sits also in the Equipment and Mechanical Doping Committee and in all the SafeR Commissions.
• Xavier Jan, treasurer of the CPA, sits in the Administrative Commission of the ITA (International Testing Agency) and in the Prize Money Committee.
• Alessandra Cappellotto, director of the CPA Women’s Council, has a seat in the PCC and SafeR.

 

[zlev11]

just saw the chicane. are they *** kidding me?

honestly im ok with slowing them down into Arenberg, I think that will just make it even more selective. but that chicane looks way more dangerous than just going in full speed.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

The good news:
- It's finally obvious to everyone that the CPA doesn't speak for the peloton as a whole. Thank you, Mathieu.
- Adam Hansen is likely to be known to the world as a complete and utter moron after Sunday

The bad news:
- Sunday's entrance to Arenberg will likely be farcical at best, and feature a crash far worse than anything we've seen on Arenberg itself at worst
- Which also means the race could be a farce...

 

[ManicJack]

From their website, all professional riders are by default members of the CPA.

Pretty sure that is not the case. I know for a fact it wasn't for the first decade of their existence. From the CPA website: " All riders under a contract which respect the Joint Agreement with a World Tour, Pro Continental or Continental team may decide to become member and can raise concerns with us individually."

 

[proffate]

How is this just now becoming a problem, when everyone is on 32mm tires or bigger, but it wasn't a problem 1cm ago?

it's those damn hookless rims I tell ya

 

[ManicJack]

How is this just now becoming a problem, when everyone is on 32mm tires or bigger, but it wasn't a problem 1cm ago?

it's those damn hookless rims I tell ya

The Mapei guys blasted onto that sector with 19mm tires inflated to 9.5 bar.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

The good news:
- It's finally obvious to everyone that the CPA doesn't speak for the peloton as a whole. Thank you, Mathieu.
- Adam Hansen is likely to be known to the world as a complete and utter moron after Sunday

The bad news:
- Sunday's entrance to Arenberg will likely be farcical at best, and feature a crash far worse than anything we've seen on Arenberg itself at worst
- Which also means the race could be a farce...

I mean, the chicane design is probably also half Gouvenou having a weird Arenberg trauma but at least Adam Hansen can‘t just go out and say that the organizers are idiots for making this mess.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I mean, the chicane design is probably also half Gouvenou having a weird Arenberg trauma but at least Adam Hansen can‘t just go out and say that the organizers are idiots for making this mess.

Hansen has been claiming full credit to him/the CPA for the decision.

 

[tobydawq]

I really don't get the problem with that chicane. Sure, there could happen a crash there, but it would happen at very low speed. The chicane is not dangerous at all, however much of a bottleneck it might be.

The location of the railway track is not ideal, I get that.

 

[Volderke]

I don’t have a problem with measures to reduce the entrance speed at Arenberg, but the curve in the chicane is simply too sharp. It can create a stand still for riders in any group bigger than 30 riders (a bit like Molenberg in RVV), so not really a desirable situation.

 

[Netserk]

It all depends on how the riders react to it, how early those leading the biggest groups start slowing down. We'll know more after Sunday.

I don’t have a problem with measures to reduce the entrance speed at Arenberg, but the curve in the chicane is simply too sharp. It can create a stand still for riders in any group bigger than 30 riders (a bit like Molenberg in RVV), so not really a desirable situation.

I don't see how that's a problem.

 

[repre]

I don’t have a problem with measures to reduce the entrance speed at Arenberg, but the curve in the chicane is simply too sharp. It can create a stand still for riders in any group bigger than 30 riders (a bit like Molenberg in RVV), so not really a desirable situation.

Also position is even more crucial than with direct entering to Arenberg and speed will be even higher prior to these idiotic corners. Railway, highest speed possible, sharp turn, sharp curl afterwards. If this is not a recipe for disaster i don't know what could be.

 

[repre]

I think best riders will say "f*ck this" and attack at Haveluy not to deal with this mess. This will help to avoid a disaster and Hansen will claim personal win

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I think best riders will say "f*ck this" and attack at Haveluy not to deal with this mess. This will help to avoid a disaster and Hansen will claim personal win

The best riders attacking on Haveluy does not negate the possibility of a big crash in the group behind later on. See also: last year's race.

 

[repre]

The best riders attacking on Haveluy does not negate the possibility of a big crash in the group behind later on. See also: last year's race.

True, another reason to attack on Haveluy. There is mud, hope they will clean it before Sunday

 

[Peyroteo94]

Love you MVP! Some random ask for a chicane when real racers just see what is the menu and for it without complains. For some reason you are a champion and others are just water delivers

 

[red_flanders]

I'm from the South, porch.

Wouldn't being from the South mean you have a couch...on the porch?

 

[zlev11]

- Adam Hansen is likely to be known to the world as a complete and utter moron after Sunday

this was Adam Hansens idea?

hold on a second...




















AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Very generous to call this a chicane, that's more like a narrow hairpin

That leg brace is pure MvDP CX territory.

Edit: ok, already mentioned. Came to my mind immediately watching Netserk's suggestion.

To me it spoils the race just as much as when they took Arenberg reverse.
The suspense passing the historic coal mills, the persuit arriving over the railway almost like an explosiveness with iconic images, a story being written along the route by the riders, with intermezzos and highlights as fixed points to look forward to.
And now being removed in favor of a leg brace which suits last Sunday's race much better.
For me, the photographic gaze of the riders at high speed across the cobblestones characterizes Paris-Roubaix to a great extent.