José De Cauwer supports the ban on descending on a tube: “Bicycle not under control” | cycling

Descending with your body on the top tube of your bike frame? A few years ago people were still surprised by this technique, nowadays all master dealers in the peloton do it.

But the UCI wants to increase safety in the peloton and prohibits “taking dangerous positions on the bike”. A line through the bill of Chris Froome, Peter Sagan and Marc Hirschi, among others.

Cycling commentator and former national coach José De Cauwer welcomes the decision. “When you’re on the bike like that, you can’t control it as it should,” he says. “So I think it’s a good decision.”

“When you sit on your tube, you are very clumsy. The great danger is that the juniors will also copy that behavior. Some newbies already sit on their tube to drive down a viaduct. And many of those serious falls with the younger riders don’t make the papers. “

In the peloton, the UCI ban can count on less understanding. Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) did not spare his criticism in the Star of Bessèges.

“Responsibility for the falls is back with the riders,” he said cynically. “The UCI can do other things to improve safety. They would better focus on the organizational aspect and the course.”

“What’s next? Next year we won’t be allowed to take our hands off the wheel to celebrate. Or will there be speed limits? We are professional riders, so we know what we’re doing.”

Tom Pidcock and Daan Soete, among others, also question the UCI’s decision on social media.