Jorgenson questions if fans want to see repeat of 2016 carnage in Arenberg | Video

Matteo Jorgenson has shared this video of the crash carnage in Arenberg in 2016 and questioned if this was what fans wanted to see

Matteo Jorgenson (Visma Leas a Bike) has hit out at people criticising the new chicane at the entrance to the Forest or Arenberg for Sunday's Paris-Roubaix, questioning if those fans voicing their concerns wanted to see the kind of racing that proved so dangerous in 2016.

On that occasion, when the peloton sped onto the pavé in pursuit of a breakaway, a major crash occurred that blocked the route and even say spectators behind the crowd control barriers knocked off their feet.

Mitch Docker, then riding for Orica-Scott, suffered very serious injuries in the crash, including a sliced tongue, loss of taste, six broken teeth and a fractured eye socket. His injuries were so severe he said at the time he took a period to evaluate his life and his career.

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In the aftermath of the public discussion around the chicane - which some fans think may prove dangerous in itself as a crash risk - Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) asked: "Is this a joke?"

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However, Jorgeson, the Paris-Nice and Dwars door Vlaanderen winner, is not impressed with the cycling fans complaining about the erection of the new chicane.

He took to 'X' to question whether people wanted to see dangerous conditions, like those Docker fell victim to, at Sunday's race.

"Is this what fans want to see?" he said, sharing a photo and video of Docker's crash from eight years ago in Arenberg.

"Riders completely covered in blood after sliding face-first at 50mph/80kph on sharp rocks in a forest? I’ll take a couple of turns and some guys sliding out on pavement any day…"

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