Spectator arrested for hitting French cyclist with water bottle during race
Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reported that the spectator who launched the missile has since surrendered to Flemish police who were already on his trail.
A man has been arrested for hurling a water bottle at a French rider during the Paris-Roubaix race, officials have said.
French authorities were forced into action after cycling champion Mathieu van der Poel had a plastic bottle hurled at his face during his triumphant ride to a third consecutive Paris-Roubaix race victory on Sunday.
The Dutchman who is a part of team Alpecin-Deceuninck, was struck while riding alone over a cobbled section with 33 kilometres remaining in the prestigious one-day classic, referred to by enthusiast's as "The Hell of the North".
Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reported that the spectator who launched the missile has since surrendered to Flemish police who were already on his trail.
The spectator is expected to be charged in court.
"An investigation was opened into the charge of violence with a weapon in order to identify and arrest the perpetrator," Lille prosecutor Carole Etienne said on X.
An angry Van Der Poel vowed to take legal action to kill off such incidents in future.
"It's not normal. It was a full bottle, it's maybe half a kilogram and I rode at 50kph, it was like a stone hitting my face," the visibly angered Van der Poel told reporters on Sunday.
"This is just not acceptable. If they spit or throw beer it's also unacceptable, but that's a different story. This is really something we have to take legal action against," he complained.
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, expressed its support for the 2023 World Road Race champion, saying in a statement," We unanimously condemn, in the strongest terms, the unacceptable behaviour of a spectator during the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix from the side of the road on 13 April."
"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated in the context of a cycling event," it added.