Former Dutch-pro calls for 'cycling license' to test pro riders' bike handling skills

"I had to hear quite often that I couldn't steer myself. And in retrospect, I think they were right," Clement said with a laugh during the Cycling Gala in Utrecht, where he appeared as an analyst on the cycling talk show 'De Laatste Etappe'.

The retired Dutch rider compared the current situation to motorsport, suggesting the sport is allowing riders to compete without proving basic handling abilities.

"There is no test of competence that you have to pass before you can become a professional cyclist," Clement explained with quotes collected by Wielerflits. "You have to be able to demonstrate that you've got the skills on an ergometer, and then you're let loose. That's like being allowed to drive in Formula 1 with the tractor license, and then we'll see if it goes well."

When the name of Jay Vine was mentioned, who reached the professional ranks through the Zwift Academy program, Clement suggested a skills assessment might have prevented accidents.

"Well, I think we could have avoided a lot of crashes," Clement responded. "It would have been better for him if he had done a little crash course."

The discussion at 'The Last Stage' extended beyond skill testing to broader safety concerns. Former Giro d'Italia winner Tom Dumoulin, who was also part of the panel, highlighted cycling's unique position among high-speed sports.

"It's the only sport where you ride down a descent at 100 kilometres per hour, without any form of protection," Dumoulin noted.

The former Team Jumbo-Visma rider drew comparisons to motorcycling, where protective gear is mandatory despite rider comfort preferences.

"Do you think a motorcyclist likes to wear such a whole suit with knee pads and the whole shebang? No, of course not," Dumoulin continued. "But it is simply mandatory. A whole motorcycle suit may go a bit far in cycling, but we are still allowed to wear a certain kind of protection if everyone has it."

Dumoulin suggested that protective clothing could become normalised in cycling the same way helmets have been accepted over time.

"At some point, you get used to it. Nowadays, it is also normal to put on your helmet, while we used to think that was ridiculous. Let it also become normal that we wear protective clothing."