Mariën was not officiating during the race, but was watching it on the television as a spectator. However, he has been a commissaire during some of the sport's biggest races – including the Tour de France – and explained why the race continued.
"The news was immediately disturbing and frightening," he said.
As part of a race jury, Mariën has often had to deal with decisions during races that need to be made. He was the head commissaire on stage four of the 2017 Tour de France that saw Peter Sagan disqualified from the race after clashing with Mark Cavendish in the final sprint.
Experienced Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) commissaire Philippe Mariën has said that it would have been almost impossible to stop Paris-Roubaix after Michael Goolaerts suffered a cardiac arrest during the race on Sunday.
"Stopping the race as you can stop a football match with one whistle is not that simple," continued the Belgian.
Mariën said that he found the incident hard to watch and follow at home.
>>> Cycling world pays tribute to Michael Goolaerts
Mariën told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad that "stopping the race as you can stop a football match with one whistle is not that simple".
Some people had criticised the race's organisers for not stopping the event after Goolaerts fell during the Briastre cobble sector. He was attended to quickly by medical personnel and was subsequently air-lifted to hospital in Lille, but died that evening.
"It is not that you can just pull the plug from the stadium. There is a whole organisation behind it, the public roads have been shut down and thousands of spectators are on the road."
"I was at home to follow the race and at that moment you question a lot, but unfortunately life goes on, and on Wednesday it is again a race with the Brabantse Pijl. How painful and bizarre that seems now."
"Unfortunately, there have been a lot of heavy falls in the past and will continue to be in the future," said Mariën.
"In these times, however, media such as Twitter quickly gives news or opinions, even if they are not always well founded. The criticism that the race went on, I find this rather cheap. Because everyone remained in the dark about the fate of Michael until 23:30."
In a statement issued on Twitter, UCI president David Lappartient said: "On behalf of the Union Cycliste Internationale and the cycling family as a whole, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family, team and friends of Michael Goolaerts, who left us too early today. We share their immense sadness."
-
-
Altura Icon Men’s Bib shorts
Naturally, the materials used aren’t quite on a par with more expensive shorts, but they do still offer good performance – and at a reasonable price
By Stefan Abram •
-
Tweets of the week: Rohan Dennis, Philippe Gilbert and wait a minute, is that G?
The latest instalment of our weekly social media round-up, featuring Geraint Thomas, Philippe Gilbert, and Rohan Dennis
By Jonny Long •
-
Paris-Roubaix 2021 officially postponed
The 2021 edition of Paris-Roubaix has been postponed, the organiser has officially announced.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Geraint Thomas eyeing Paris-Roubaix return in 2022
The Welshman was speaking on his podcast to four-time winner Tom Boonen when he said he'd like to try and win the Queen of the Classics in 2022
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Teams expecting imminent decision on Paris-Roubaix as postponement rumours continue
No official word from organisers since media reports suggested the race would be postponed
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
‘There is no final decision, but there is a chance Paris-Roubaix will be postponed,’ says France’s sports minister
France’s sport minister has said no final decision has been made on the postponement of Paris-Roubaix 2021, but the race would still be delayed.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Paris-Roubaix 2021 postponed, according to report
Paris-Roubaix 2021 has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to French media.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Paris-Roubaix 2021 unlikely to go ahead due to coronavirus situation in the region
The prefect of the region is pessimistic about the Monument's chances of going ahead in April given the current public health situation
By Jonny Long •
-
The Monuments: Cycling’s five biggest one-day races
A guide to the five single-day pro bike races that make up cycling's Monuments
By Nigel Wynn •
-
Lizzie Deignan on her first time riding Paris-Roubaix cobbles: ‘I’m happy with my skills, but physically it’s so demanding’
Lizzie Deignan said she’s comfortable with her abilities on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, but added she was surprised by how physically demanding they are.
By Alex Ballinger •
