Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) narrowly avoided a high-speed crash at the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Loenhout on December 29 after a spectator's hand made contact with his handlebars during the opening lap.
The world champion stayed upright and went on to win his sixth consecutive race of the season, but the incident prompted police intervention and renewed discussion about spectator conduct at cyclocross events.
The contact occurred on a fast section of the course as Van der Poel rode past densely packed barriers. Video footage shows a spectator leaning over the course perimeter, their arm extending toward the Dutchman's bike as he passed at speed.
"I was very lucky," Van der Poel said after the race. "I was just able to upright."
"I haven’t watched the footage yet, but I didn’t feel it was malicious," he added.
According to Sporza, local police, monitoring the race on television, acted immediately to locate and detain the spectator for questioning. Initial reports suggested organisers and the UCI were considering formal charges, with concerns the contact may have been deliberate.
However, after reviewing broadcast footage and speaking with the detained individual, race organiser Golazo shifted its stance. Christophe Impens, representing the organisers, confirmed the spectator expressed remorse and requested to apologise personally to Van der Poel.
"He also wants to apologize to Mathieu personally," Impens told Sporza. The fan claimed the contact was "totally not my intention" and said they were overwhelmed by the moment. Golazo declined to file formal charges, concluding the incident resulted from over-enthusiastic spectating rather than malice.
Van der Poel echoed that assessment. "I didn't feel like it was intentional," he said.
Video from @cyclocross24 on X.com
The incident comes just one week after a spectator exhaled electronic cigarette vapor into Van der Poel's face at the X2O Trofee in Hofstade, and follows a bottle-throwing incident at Paris-Roubaix in April that prompted an official complaint from Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Organizers in Loenhout had already taken precautions, moving a public tent holding 5,000 spectators further from the course to create a safety buffer. Around 15,000 fans attended the race.
Despite the distraction, Van der Poel dominated the race, finishing in 57:48. His main rival Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) suffered two punctures and finished 10th, 1:26 behind. Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took second, 46 seconds back.
The UCI and race organisers have increased announcements at races reminding spectators to maintain safe distances from barriers.
Cover image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
