Police in East Flanders have identified a man that they think was responsible for throwing beer at the Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the 2024 Tour of Flanders cycle race. The incident that happened on the Oude Kwaremont caused consternation throughout the cycling world. A week later, during last weekend’s Paris-Roubaix race a woman threw a cap at the wheels of Mathieu van der Poel’s bike and a few kilometres beer was thrown at him again.
The first incident happened on 31 March on the Oude Kwaremont, one of the Tour of Flanders’ legendary hill climbs. The police used footage from the VRT and from cycling fans that had filmed the incident on their mobile phones in a effort to identify the beer-thrower. The suspect will be questioned by officers from Flemish Ardennes Local Police Service.
Last week the Federation of Belgian Professional Cyclists initiated civil action against the beer-thrower(s) last week. The public prosecutor will look into the incident and pending their decision court proceedings may follow.
Second incident
During Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix race a female spectator threw her cap at the wheels of Mathieu Van der Poel’s bike as he raced over a cobble stone section of the route.
A few kilometres further on the Dutch cyclist had beer thrown at him once again. The recent misbehaviour by spectators has done little to distract Mathieu Van der Poel though as he won both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.