In reply to The Potato:
As long as the crown race is fully pressed down on the shoulder of the steerer the rearward stress under braking will be taken by the bearing cup, which is an extremely strong structure. If somehow you managed to get bare unsupported steerer sticking out beneath the head tube (impossible, I know but just an illustration) the bending forces would be being taken by the steerer, which is not what it's for.
What does it matter what I ride? I built and rode my own hardtail mountain bikes for 31 years and now ride road bikes.
Take a look at a photo of Jeremy Corbyn's bike if you want to see a ridiculous and dangerous setup.