‘Clearly something needed to be done’: Soudal Quick-Step back introduction of Arenberg chicane at Paris-Roubaix
Former Tour of Flanders winner Kasper Asgreen praises the initiative behind the decision to adjust the key part of the course
The decision to adjust the entrance into the Arenberg at Paris-Roubaix, has been praised by Soudal Quick-Step's Kasper Asgreen, who said the speed into the five star sector has become ‘faster and faster’ in recent years.
Speaking to the media at the team's pre-Roubaix press conference on Thursday, Asgreen said that he felt the peloton would have no issue in navigating the chicane after some questioned the decision.
Last year’s winner, Mathieu van der Poel, questioned the decision on X and other social media users suggested that it could lead to more crashes.
"I think it's nice that they took the initiative to do something," Asgreen told the gathered reporters. "Over the last couple of years, the entrance to the Arenberg has become faster and faster and we've seen crashes in the first 200 metres.
"Clearly something needed to be done. If it's the perfect solution? I don't know but at least it's a step to do something. We will see on Sunday how it all works out."
"I hope there's not going to be a crash," he added. "In the end, we do a lot more important corners where people want to be in the front than we do entrances to the Arenberg during the season. So it's something the bunch are well used to."
After yet another display of dominance from Van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders last weekend, the Dutchman is widely considered to be the firm favourite for victory once more, but Asgreen said that taking the fight to him was key.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"Sunday last week, I think everyone had the idea, almost every team had the idea to try to anticipate his attack," he said. "In the end we saw an incredibly strong Alpecin team that managed to keep it almost all together until the second ascent of the Kwaremont and from there, Mathieu could do the race he wanted to.
"If they manage to do the same on Sunday, he’s very very difficult to beat. Difficult is not impossible, but I think the key is to open up the race early and try and isolate him. I don't think we will be the only ones that want to do that.
"I think there are some strong collectives in other teams as well that have an interest to do the same. I think it's going to be a tough race, a great race."
While recon rides have shown the cobbles in a bad state, Asgreen hoped that drier weather would lead to better conditions on the pavé by the time the peloton hit them on Sunday.
"The last time I did the cobbles was in early February," he said. "We will do a recon tomorrow, I've seen some pictures of other teams out there. It looks quite muddy but the next two days look dry, it should dry up pretty quickly on the cobbles and Sunday we could have a very dry race."
The Soudal Quick-Step riders will be on their regular aero bikes, despite Specialized having a bike, the Roubaix, seemingly designed for the cobbles.
"We'll be using our normal Tarmacs," he explained. "Some of us are swapping out handlebars, or adding extra bar tape, depending on personal preference. We will then be swapping to 32 millimetre tires."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly in early 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
He has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the recent Glasgow World Championships. He has also covered races elsewhere across the world and interviewed some of the sport's top riders.
When not writing news scoops from the WorldTour, or covering stories from elsewhere in the domestic professional scene, he reports on goings on at bike shops up and down the UK, where he is based when not out on the road at races. He has also appeared on the Radio Cycling podcast.
-
Jumbo-Visma won 3 Grand Tours with 3 different riders in 2023. All of them were wearing these shoes: the Nimbl Ultimate reviewed
The Nimbl Ultimate looks fast even when standing still. But how does it fit and perform?
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
'I can not describe my disappointment and frustration': Bora-Hansgrohe rider hits out at non-selection for Giro d’Italia
German champion Emanuel Buchmann says he was promised "co-leadership" of Bora team, but he has not been picked
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
From broken back to Paris-Roubaix podium: Bob Donaldson is making a statement
Second at Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, just a year after his career was almost cut short, the young Brit is ready to turn pro
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'There's blood on my handlebars': Inside one rider's debut at Paris-Roubaix Juniors
Patrick Casey got his chance to ride the Hell of the North after going through the Red Bull Junior Brothers programme
By Adam Becket Published
-
Elia Viviani says helmet 'saved his life' in Paris-Roubaix crash
The Italian abandoned the race after 40km on Sunday, but left without any fractures
By Adam Becket Published
-
Opinion: Mathieu van der Poel firmly grasps legend status with second Paris-Roubaix victory
Reigning world champion deserves his place alongside Roger de Vlaeminck and Eddy Merckx as one of cycling’s greatest-ever one-day racers
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Van der Poel ‘in a different league’ at Paris-Roubaix, says Mads Pedersen
Former world champion forced to settle for third on the podium behind Van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It’s a completely different beast’ - Tom Pidcock happy with top 20 finish after ‘epic’ Paris-Roubaix debut
British rider was unable to grip his handlebars properly in the finale as the last cobbled sectors arrived
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I just wanted to make it a hard final' - Mathieu van der Poel on 'unplanned' Paris-Roubaix winning attack
The world champion launched his race winning move on the Orchie cobbled sector, almost 60 kilometres from the Roubaix velodrome
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m just here to enjoy it': Tom Pidcock on his surprise Paris-Roubaix appearance
British rider was a late addition to the Ineos Grenadiers team for the race across the pavé
By Tom Thewlis Published