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In what was supposed to be another triumphant moment in his illustrious cycling career, Mathieu van der Poel's victory at the Paris-Roubaix was marred by a shocking act of aggression. Roughly 33 kilometers from the finish line, the world road champion was struck in the face by a plastic bottle thrown from the crowd. Despite the impact, van der Poel powered through, making history by winning the grueling race for a third consecutive time.
The Dutch cyclist described the incident as both dangerous and deeply troubling. "It's not normal," he stated. "It was a full bottle, maybe half a kilogram, and I was riding at 50 kph. It felt like a stone hitting my face." The visibly shaken athlete called for legal action, pointing out the increasing risks riders face from spectators. "This is not acceptable," he emphasized, "We need to address this seriously."
Authorities moved quickly. On Monday, the bottle-throwing spectator turned himself in to the Flemish police. Lies De Bondt, Deputy Public Prosecutor for West Flanders, confirmed the surrender, while the Lille public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into violence with a weapon.
Van der Poel's team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, issued a strong statement condemning the act, calling it an escalation of fan misconduct that jeopardizes not only rider safety but the spirit of the sport. "We're relieved that Mathieu wasn't seriously harmed," the team said. "But this is not just about one rider—it's about maintaining the integrity of the race."
The cycling world has rallied behind van der Poel. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) issued a statement condemning the incident in the strongest terms. "Such behaviour cannot be tolerated," they wrote. "We will pursue all legal channels to ensure this is punished and prevented in the future."
For van der Poel, this is just another challenge in a career built on grit and resilience. Already the only man to win world championships in three disciplines—cyclo-cross, gravel, and road—he continues to prove he's not just a champion on the bike, but a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity.
