Does cycling have a fan problem?: Chronicle of the attacks on Mathieu van der Poel

Things have gone really well for Mathieu van der Poel this season in sporting terms: victories in the Paris-Roubaix" and Milan - San Remo were a demonstration of power. However, the Belgian-born Dutchman is constantly battling hostility. During his impressive ride to victory at Paris-Roubaix, he was once again insulted, showered with beer and even had a full water bottle thrown at him. While he has been reserved in the past, his patience was exhausted this time: "Spitting and throwing beer is something else - that was a full bottle and it hit me full in the face. We have to take legal action because this is not normal, it's too much. I hope we can identify this person. Throwing beer and everything else and spitting is not part of the sport. If it hits my nose, my nose is broken. That's just not normal."

Does cycling have a fan problem? The pattern is undeniable in cycling races around his native Belgium. Time and again, the police investigate the perpetrators. So far, no concrete consequences have been reported. In the case of the bottle throwing, physical danger cannot be denied, after the perpetrator has already turned himself inwe are looking forward to the consequences.

Chronicle of aggression against Mathieu van der Poel

Paris-Roubaix, 13 April 2025

Location: Paris-Roubaix, France, more precisely towards the end of sector 8 near Templeuve, about 33 kilometres before the finish. The incident occurred with 33.1 kilometres to go. Another incident, in which a cup of liquid was thrown at van der Poel, occurred earlier.

Description: A spectator threw a full water bottle (allegedly with the logo of Visma | Lease a Bike) directly into the face of Mathieu van der Poel while he was leading the race. A cup of liquid had previously been thrown at him.

Quote MVDP

"We can't let that pass. It was a full water bottle and it really hurt. If it had hit my nose, it would have broken. Hopefully we can identify someone and there can be a trial."

March 2025 - E3 Saxo Classic

Location: Belgium 12, more precisely Ronse.

Description: A spectator on the side of the road spat at Mathieu van der Poel as he rode towards victory.

Quote MVDP

"These are people who shouldn't come to the track to watch ... I can't do anything about it myself. Unfortunately."

April 2024 - Paris-Roubaix

Location: Paris-Roubaix, France, on the cobbled section Mérignies á Avelin 17, about 42.2 kilometres before the finish. Beer was poured on him in the Carrefour de l'Arbre sector.

Description: A spectator threw a cycling cap at the front wheel of Mathieu van der Poel. There are also reports that beer was poured on him during this race.

Quote MVDP

"I felt that I was hit by something white. Apparently, not everyone likes it when I ride in the lead ... But I don't care. These people throwing beer at me, I think they feel a certain frustration. But I don't want to deal with that."

March 2024 - Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen)

Location: Tour of Flanders, Belgium, especially on the climb of the Oude Kwaremont.

Description: Spectators poured beer on Mathieu van der Poel at least twice as he rode up the Oude Kwaremont. He was also met with middle fingers and boos.

December 2023 - UCI Cyclocross World Cup Hulst (Netherlands)

Location: Hulst, Netherlands, near the Belgian border.

Description: Mathieu van der Poel spat at a group of spectators on the last lap. This happened after, according to him, these spectators booed him throughout the race, including the warm-up, and reportedly threw beer and possibly urine at him.

Quote MVDP

"What did they shout? You should ask them yourself. I'm not going to repeat that here. These are certainly not things that belong in sport. Nobody should be booed. After a while, that's enough, even for me."

Mathieu van der Poel is increasingly worried

Mathieu van der Poel's reactions to repeated harassment by spectators have changed over time. While he initially seemed to play down the incidents, his recent statements, especially after the water bottle incident at Paris-Roubaix 2025, show a concern and a demand for serious consequences. A recurring theme in his quotes is his frustration at the lack of respect shown to him by some spectators. He emphasises that such behaviour does not belong in sport and that he is tired of being the target of such actions.