World champion spat at the fans during the race! I’ve had enough of the booing, complained Van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands rode to his seventh consecutive victory during the cyclo-cross World Cup in Hulst. However, the joy of winning on home soil was marred by an incident with Belgian fans along the course.

Van der Poel has been in fantastic form since he entered the season and the race at the Hulst circuit in the Netherlands was no exception. The reigning cyclocross and road world champion took on his rivals as early as the third lap and finished with a significant lead.

However, not all the fans present appreciated the dominance of the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider. Some of them booed and cursed the star rider on the track. The Dutch rider then responded to the insults by spitting at a group of spectators on the last lap of the race.

“They booed even during the race. I’ve had enough of this,” Van der Poel complained in an immediate post-race interview.

Asked what the spectators were shouting at him, the 28-year-old said. I won’t repeat it. This doesn’t belong in sport, booing doesn’t belong anywhere.”

Later, testimonies from other spectators appeared on the X network, according to which Belgian fans along the track poured beer and urine on the reigning world champion during the race. One statement was even shared directly by Van der Poel on his account.

The whole incident was not without consequences for the Dutch rider. The rules of the International Cyclo-cross Union (UCI) prohibit inappropriate behavior, so he will have to pay a fine of 250 Swiss francs for spitting on fans. However, he says he does not regret his reaction. “It was too much.Even for me,” Van der Poel said.

The Dutch cyclocross star’s next race will be on New Year’s Day, when he will take part in the X20 Trofee in Baal, Belgium.

Source: CyclingNews, Eurosport