Bottle throwing at Paris-Roubaix: perpetrator confesses - van der Poel horrified!

Bottle throwing at Paris-Roubaix: perpetrator confesses - van der Poel horrified!

The cycling classic Paris-Roubaix caused a stir on April 14, 2025, and not just because of the exciting race. Mathieu van der Poel secured his third consecutive title, winning by more than a minute, despite an incident in which a spectator threw a full drink bottle into his face.

A spokesman for the West Flemish public prosecutor's office confirmed that the perpetrator turned himself in to police and expressed regret for his actions. The incident, which was clearly visible on the TV broadcast, overshadowed the already heated racing events. Van der Poel himself expressed the hope that the perpetrator would be brought to justice, as he sees the incident as attempted murder. This was not the first such incident in his career; the previous year he had a hat thrown at him and beer was also poured on him.

The race and the competition

Tadej Pogacar, competing in his first Paris-Roubaix, secured second place after he had an accident in sector nine that cost him a place at the front. Pogacar had hoped to be the first rider since Bernard Hinault to win both the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix in 1981. Mads Pedersen came third, followed by Wout van Aert and Florian Vermeersch.

Van der Poel's victory was his eighth in a Monument race, putting him level with Pogacar for the number of Monument races won. During the race the rivalry between Pogacar and van der Poel was clearly evident, with both drivers challenging each other on the demanding cobblestone sections.

Safety concerns in cycling

Despite the exciting race, safety in cycling remains an important issue. Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner, expressed concerns about safety precautions in cycling in an interview. There is particular concern about fall rates, which rose 24 percent last year, according to a UCI study. Thomas and other riders recognize the need to be able to view the routes in advance to minimize the risk of unnecessary crashes.

The incidents in Paris-Roubaix also raise questions about the behavior of spectators. Over 10 percent of the cyclists treated in emergency rooms were in a competition at the time of the accident, which makes it clear that not only the condition of the route but also the behavior of spectators plays a role. This reinforces the relevance of initiatives such as the introduction of yellow and red cards to punish dangerous behavior on the track.