Too dangerous for the Tour, now the scene of disaster: “It's time to take stock of the Canariberg”

In the peloton they know the reputation of the road to Kanariberg.

This diabolical descent guarantees incredibly high speeds, regularly resulting in dangerous falls. Thus the Flanders Classics came with a clear signal.

Therefore, the organizer of the Tour of Flanders has canceled the segment for next Sunday. “The lead-up is very dangerous,” he said.

“Last year, Binyam Girmay was involved in a serious accident in the run-up to the race. After feedback from the peloton team, we removed the two slopes (Canariberg and Korteker).”

The road to Kanarieberg remained on Dwars Door Vlaanderen and unfortunately everyone now knows what happened.

A powerful squawk spoils the spring of Wout van Aart, Jasper Stuyven and others.

“What makes this descent so dangerous? Because the road is so wide,” Tim DeClercq points out the first pain point.

“The overall level in the peloton is also very high. You have to be in good position towards the right turn (before going up the slope).”

“There's huge pressure on the front, and there are too many strong riders. You can't get into the wind too early, but also not too late. Suddenly you feel: Oops, I'm trapped.”

Sometimes there is simply no room due to a race on the foot. And anyone who dares to brake is seen.

In more beautiful Flanders, the scene of disaster would be avoided. However, the affected riders do not care about this now.

“The fall unfortunately shows why the period leading up to Kanarieberg has been removed from the Tour,” responded Thomas van den Spiegel (Flanders Classics) to Sporza during the telecast.

“Unfortunately, current events have affected us.”

Why is it possible on Sunday but not today? “The Tour is bigger, more important and faster. There is more pressure on Sunday.”

“We want to avoid falling as much as possible, but it is still a dangerous spot.”

Finally, Van den Spiegel appears in front of the camera again. “Every fall is too much. It gets in the way of everything this week stands for.”

He added, “Every safety issue is too much. This remains a dangerous sport and we must make it safer, but many things cannot be ruled out.”

Although the organizer was counting on a less stressful start because the risks are not the same. “Typically, this course is implemented more quickly.”

“It's up to us to evaluate now. Is Canariberg still relevant to current cycling where there's always racing? That's not easy. It could disappear from spring racing.”

It is clear that the final word on this thorny issue has not yet been written.