Pro cyclists descending on top tube: Chris Froome made it famous in the 2016 Tour de France, above. But Dan Martin has now suggested it be banned in races.

Dan Martin calls for ban to descending on top tube

Dan Martin has said the UCI should consider banning descending while seated crouched on the top tube in racing.

The first high-profile example of the technique was Chris Froome's descent, below, on stage 8 of the Tour de France in 2016.

Since then more and more riders have copied the technique.

Froome wasn't the first to do it. But he was the first high profile rider whose effort was captured by the TV cameras and went viral.

There have been a few examples, one of them in a video below, demonstrating how the move can go very badly wrong when tried by amateurs.

Yesterday on the Tour's descent of the Col de Portet-d’Aspet, Philippe Gilbert (QuickStep) crashed shortly after being tucked on the top tube.

He was seated in the saddle on the approach to the tricky corner where he crashed. But he had been in the tuck, full-gas, descending position just moments earlier.

It's not clear if Martin's contribution on the subject of descending is linked to Gilbert's crash.

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It is more likely a response to the many examples of this form of descending we've seen to date on the Tour.

But the Irish rider believes it sets a dangerous example and Tweeted the UCI on the subject this morning.

Dear @UCI_cycling How about we think about banning this new descending technique of sitting on the top tube. Pro riders may have the skills but how many kids at home will endanger themselves attempting to imitate what they see on TV.

— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) July 25, 2018

Funny how responses to my last tweet are split. Some support, some thinks it’s health and safety madness. But it’s not about speed. And the question is, is being a good descender skill or just willing to take more risks?

— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) July 25, 2018