The author of a spit on Mathieu Van der Poel during the E3 Classic, which the Dutch runner had won on March 28, was identified and will be sanctioned with a fine, the Renaix police announced on Tuesday where the incident took place.
Poor Mathieu Van der Poel collects trouble on the road. The can that was launched in the face during Paris-Roubaix is certainly the most recent in the news, but certainly not the first excess of a spectator targeting him. The former world champion has undergone other assaults in recent weeks, such as this spit received on one of the Flanderian classics, the Grand Prix E3.
The author of this unspeakable gesture was also identified thanks to the images produced by television. The individual in question has “admitted the facts” and “will have to pay a fine of up to 350 euros” but the prosecution did not enter the file for a possible suite, a police officer told AFP.
Only in mind about thirty kilometers from the finish, Mathieu Van der Poel had been the victim of a spit of a spectator, beer in hand, in the Karnemelkbeekstraat in Renaix. The facts had been filmed by television cameras, but had not prevented him from raising his arms on the line.
Movenant acts are multiplying against Van der Poel
“The people who do that, would do better not to attend the races. Unfortunately I cannot change things, it is quite a shame that it repeats because it has happened to me,” said Van der Poel.
Raymond Poulidor’s grandson has already been the victim of several malicious acts. Sunday during Paris-Roubaix, the leader of the Alpecin-Deceuninck training received a container in the face in the paved sector of Templeuve while he was running in mind.
The author of the gesture spontaneously presented to the police. The Belgian team announced that they wanted to file a complaint, while the Lille prosecution opened an investigation for “violence with weapon”. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has also announced its intention to file a complaint.
