Importance Score: 52 / 100 🔵
Investigation Launched After Mathieu van der Poel Struck by Bottle at Paris-Roubaix
French authorities have initiated a formal inquiry following an incident where cycling star Mathieu van der Poel was hit in the face by a projectile during his triumphant victory at Paris-Roubaix on Sunday. This marks his third consecutive win in the prestigious race, but the victory was overshadowed by the unsportsmanlike conduct from a spectator.
Legal Action Underway
Carole Etienne, the Lille prosecutor, announced via social media platform X that “an investigation has commenced regarding an act of violence with a weapon, aimed at identifying and apprehending the individual responsible.” The incident occurred as the Alpecin-Deceuninck team’s Dutch cyclist was riding solo across a challenging cobbled sector, approximately 33 kilometers from the finish line of the renowned Paris-Roubaix classic, often dubbed “The Hell of the North”.
Van der Poel’s Reaction to Spectator Misconduct
Visibly upset, Van der Poel expressed his dismay to reporters after the race. “This is unacceptable behavior. It was a substantial bottle, perhaps weighing half a kilogram, and given my speed of 50kph, it felt like being struck by a stone,” he recounted. “While spitting or beer-throwing is also wrong, this bottle incident is a different level of danger. We must pursue legal repercussions for this action.”
Perpetrator Surrenders to Police
According to reports from the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad on Monday, the spectator who threw the bottle has turned themselves in to Flemish police. Public prosecutor Filiep Jodts confirmed to BBC Sport, “We can verify that the individual has presented himself to law enforcement. An official statement has been recorded, and the Public Prosecution Service will decide on the appropriate course of action in the coming days.”
UCI Condemns Unacceptable行為
Cycling’s international governing body, the UCI, issued a statement expressing strong support for the former world champion and condemning the spectator’s actions. “We unequivocally condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the deplorable conduct of a spectator during the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix on April 13th,” the UCI stated. “Such actions are intolerable at any cycling event.”
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The statement continued, “The UCI, along with representatives from the broader cycling community, stands in solidarity with the rider and will collaborate with relevant authorities to explore every available legal avenue to ensure that such behavior is appropriately and severely punished, as has been done in previous instances. We are committed to taking similar action against any future acts that jeopardize the physical well-being of cyclists.”
Alpecin-Deceuninck Seeks Sanctions
Alpecin-Deceuninck communicated late Monday their intention to seek formal sanctions for the bottle-throwing incident, labeling it “a perilous and unacceptable occurrence.”
“We will lodge a formal complaint against the responsible individual to explicitly denounce this behavior,” the team declared in their statement. “This issue extends beyond a singular act. Frequently, we observe such inappropriate behavior as either a consequence of or alongside excessive alcohol consumption. This endangers the safety of our athletes, detracts from the enjoyment and reputation of true cycling supporters, and diverts attention from legitimate sporting achievements.”