Former pro cyclist Stef Clement calls for a 'test of competence' for professional cyclists. Before becoming a pro cyclist, you should be able to demonstrate a certain level of bike-handling skills, believes the former rider. The Dutchman said this during the Cycling Gala in Utrecht, where he joined the cycling talk show 'De Laatste Etappe' as an analyst.
"I’ve often been told that I myself couldn’t handle the bike very well. And in hindsight, I think they were probably right," Clement started his story with a smile. "But there are quite a few like that in the peloton. There’s no official test of competence you have to pass before becoming a pro cyclist."
"You have to prove on an ergometer that you have the power, and then you’re let loose. That’s like having a tractor license and then being allowed to race in Formula 1, and we’ll just see how it goes. Some sort of proof of competence, some bike-handling skill, might actually be useful."
Jay Vine, who advanced to the pros through the Zwift Academy, was mentioned by host Sander Kleikers as a possible example. "Well, I do think we could have prevented a lot of crashes," Clement responded. "For him, it would have been better if he had taken a short crash course."
Tom Dumoulin on protective gear
When the topic of safety came up on De Laatste Etappe, other ideas were also discussed. Tom Dumoulin, who was also at the table, pointed out that cycling is 'the only sport where you descend at 100 kilometers per hour without any form of protection.'
"Do you think a motorcyclist enjoys wearing a full suit with knee pads and the whole lot? No, of course not," Dumoulin continued. "But it’s mandatory. A full motorbike suit might be a bit much for cycling, but we should be required to wear some type of protection if everyone else does it. At some point, you get used to it. Nowadays, it’s normal to wear a helmet, even though we used to think it was ridiculous. Let’s make wearing protective clothing normal too."
