A lot of you were so taken with the story last week of the novice cyclist who managed to join in with the bike leg of a triathlon by mistake, and kept pedalling for 21 kilometres that we’ve decided to launch a new feature – Cyclist of the Week – to recognise someone whose feats on two wheels have grabbed our attention in the past seven days.
> Novice cyclist mum swept up by Triathlon race rides 21 km route
For this week’s recipient, we head to the Tour de Suisse and Team Sky sprinter Danny van Poppel’s extraordinary save in the sprint at the end of Stage 4 with a superb display of bike handling, almost doing the splits to avoid crashing into the barriers as he comes off a bend.
For his troubles, the young Dutch rider was relegated to last place on the stage for dangerous sprinting – although many pointed out that 150 metres from the line is no place to have a 90 degree turn.
His fellow pros have overwhelmingly backed him, with riders’ association the CPA revealing today that 91 per cent of its members who responded to a poll on the issue believed that the design of the finish was dangerous.
4 thoughts on “Cyclist of the Week: Danny van Poppel (+ video)”
I love seeing a turn into a
I love seeing a turn into a sprint, builds the anticipation.. but at that angle. Seriously. Daft. No-one wants to see that, it only serves to slow the pace and clearly as you can see is crash bait.
Agree with that, it’s asking
Agree with that, it’s asking for trouble. Poppel’s control is even more remarkable when watched at full speed.
Incredible save, but perhaps
Incredible save, but perhaps he shouldn’t have been trying to go down the inside of Sagan in the first place?
Barguil did similar in the TDF, and sent G into a ravine.
I don’t understand why it’s
I don’t understand why it’s dangerous!
He seems to carrying more speed than the guy in front aims to go up on the inside. Get’s boxed in, takes avoiding action and doesn’t hit anyone.
If it was Motorsport he would have come off the brakes, t-bone the guy in front. Slammed them both against the outside barrier and blamed the other guy for turning in on him.