The 27-year-old must pay the equivalent of around 1,000 euros because he was arrested in Wollongong, Australia, the night before the World Championship race on Sunday. allegedly pushed a 13 and a 14-year-old girl. This is reported by the Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf".
Click through: All world champions of the World Cycling Championships
The two teenagers had repeatedly knocked on the Dutchman's door and disturbed his sleep before the race. The case was actually due to be heard on Tuesday, but was brought forward at the request of the defence lawyer. The judge ruled that van der Poel had taken the law into his own hands. It would have been more advisable to call the hotel's security service. The defence lawyer immediately lodged an appeal against the fine. Van der Poel can travel home regardless of this.
Van der Poel gives up World Championship race
After the altercation, van der Poel was taken into custody by the police and spent most of the night before the World Championship race at the police station. The co-favourite still went to the start, but got off his bike after an hour.
According to a report by "Sporza", not only van der Poel's image suffered from the incident, but also that of the hotel. The online rating is said to have dropped drastically because fans of the cycling star are said to have left more negative comments and ratings.
Copyright 2022, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
