“Attempted homicide” complains
Bottle launchers stand on the bike professional after attack
Bottle launchers stand on the bike professional after attack
04/14/2025, 12:09 p.m.
Mathieu van der Poel speaks of “attempted homicide” and means the bottle throw. The cycling professional is in full speed when a full bottle hits his face at the classic Paris-Roubaix. The culprit is now reporting to the police.
The bottle launcher of the classic cycling player Paris-Roubaix has faced the police. A spokesman for the West Flemish public prosecutor announced “Het Nieuwsblad” that a man had registered with the police, and he was very sorry for the incident. Nothing is known about the further procedure.
The man had thrown a full drinking bottle in the face of the later winner Mathieu van der Poel. The incident occurred about 33 kilometers before the finish line in the Temstleuve cobblestones. Several spectators had filmed the litter with their smartphones and published on social media platforms. The incident was also clearly visible when the TV broadcast.
Van der Poel had found clear words at the finish line. “We can’t let it happen. It was a full bottle that really hurt. When it hits my nose, it is broken,” said the 30-year-old Dutch. “I hope you find the perpetrator. I think it should be put to court because that was attempted manslaughter. It was directly in my face.”
Also thrown at beer and hat
It was not the first time that Van der Poel was the victim of a fan attack. Last year, a woman threw a hat on the wheel of the classic specialist. The woman later also faced the police. A deal was offered by the French cycling association: she had to admit her crime, help an association to maintain the cobblestone paving sections and become the face of a campaign for more security in races.
Last year, Van der Poel was showered with beer at a cross race and on the tour of the Flanders. At the Belgian half-classic E3 price, a man spat in his direction. These incidents could result from the rivalry van der Poels to the Belgian star Wout van Aert. Both have been competitors since teenagers.
