Golazo, the organisation behind the Ronde van Brugge/Tour of Bruges, has filed a complaint against the Bruges-based climate activist Wouter Mouton. To draw attention to climate change, he sat down in the middle of a cobbled section of the route during Wednesday’s cycling race in the area in and around the West Flemish capital. His action caused a crash. “Completely irresponsible and potentially life-threatening,” says Golazo. The West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office has meanwhile launched an investigation into the serious cycling crash during the Tour of Bruges.
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Organisers file complaint against climate activist who disrupted Tour of Bruges (VIDEO), prosecutors launch probe
Colin Clapson
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During the Tour of Bruges yesterday, Mouton sat down in the middle of the road, 30 kilometres from the finish line, wearing a T-shirt bearing a slogan. “He is also said to have been equipped with glue to stick himself to the road,” says Christophe Impens of Golazo. “Completely irresponsible, because his action put the riders, spectators and staff all at risk.’”
“All in all, it didn’t turn out too badly, so to speak,” notes Impens. "The biggest casualty is Juan Sebastián Molano, who won the race last year. He was taken to hospital with injuries. Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery. But imagine if the entire peloton had crashed into him en masse. This could have been so much worse."
Both Golazo and four cycling teams have now lodged complaints against Mouton. Golazo is not seeking compensation. “Because it is difficult to prove any specific damage, apart from the damage to the reputation of the race and cycling in general. Molano’s team and Decathlon, where a number of bikes were damaged, stand a better chance in that regard.”
Environmental activist Wouter Mouton was arrested yesterday. The West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into the incident and will decide by Friday at the latest whether Mouton will remain in custody. CCTV footage is currently being analysed and witnesses are being interviewed. “The Public Prosecutor’s Office is considering what the next steps will be.”