Spectator who threw drinking flask into Van der Poel's face during Paris-Roubaix turns himself in to police (VIDEO)

The suspect was identified by the president of a rider fan club after he travelled to the event on a coach together with members of the club.  Club president Rutger Goeminne says that when he viewed images of the incident club members were clearly in the picture. A suspect was identified, but he initially denied involvement.  It was only when Mr Goeminne made clear he would inform the police if the man didn’t turn himself in that the suspect agreed to contact the authorities.

Meanwhile Mathieu van der Poel’s team has filed an official complaint with the authorities.  A spokesman for the team said such incidents were often linked to excessive drinking.

It is understood a suspect turned himself in to the Mira police zone, which includes the municipalities of Anzegem, Avelgem, Spiere-Helkijn, Waregem and Zwevegem in West Flanders, this morning.

The suspect  may be charged with offences including intentional beating and injury. He is now being questioned and after that the public prosecutor will decide what action to take over the offences. Penalties for deliberate beatings and injuries without work incapacitation range from 8 days to 6 months in prison. If there is work incapacitation, the sentence can be up to 2 years. Alternatives range from a warning to mediation.

In the final stage of Paris-Roubaix, Mathieu van der Poel - who was riding alone and, in the lead, - had a yellow water bottle thrown in his face during a cobbled section of the race in Templeuve.

The cycling world has reacted with outrage to the incident and Van der Poel himself was also particularly angry. "We can't let this pass. It was a full water bottle and it hurt a lot. If I got that water bottle on my nose, it would be a broken nose," the angry rider told newsmen. He called the incident ‘attempted manslaughter’.