Reigning world champion Mathieu van der Poel demonstrated incredible focus and class to secure another dominant victory in Belgium, but not before a controversial incident involving a spectator threatened to break his concentration. The Dutch superstar triumphed at the X2O Badkamers Trofee race in Hofstade, marking his fourth consecutive win since returning to the cyclo-cross circuit this season.
A Victory Marred by Unwelcome Distraction
The fourth round of the series, which made a popular return after a 17-year hiatus, attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd. However, the event ended under a cloud of controversy. As Van der Poel powered towards the finish line on the final lap, a spectator leaned over the barriers and deliberately blew a cloud of vape smoke directly into the rider's face.
Caught on camera, Van der Poel briefly turned his head away from the plume. Showing remarkable composure, he immediately refocused, looked ahead, and continued his charge to the line. Wearing his racing glasses, he appeared calm and crossed the finish first, utterly unfazed by the unwanted distraction.
Dominant Performance and Post-Race Reactions
Despite the interruption, Mathieu van der Poel finished a massive 48 seconds ahead of his great rival, Wout van Aert. Belgian rider Niels Vandeputte completed the podium in third place. After securing the win, Van der Poel addressed the strange incident near the finish.
"Yes, I felt it. That was right after the finish, wasn't it? I don't know if it was intentional, because I didn't see," the champion told waiting reporters. He later downplayed the event, adding, "I saw it too, but I don't know if it was on purpose. It didn't really bother me. In any case, it's better than beer."
Christoph Roodhooft, the team manager for second-placed Wout van Aert, also shared his thoughts. "I didn't see it, but those are silly things. I don't really want to say anything more about it. Isn't reacting to something so stupid just plain stupid? It's simply inappropriate and improper," he stated, expressing frustration that a minor act was stealing attention from a fantastic race course and positive atmosphere.
A Pattern of Unacceptable Fan Behaviour
Unfortunately, this was not an isolated event for the champion cyclist. In recent years, Van der Poel has been a repeated target of crowd interference during both cyclo-cross and road races. The list of incidents is troubling:
- Spectators have thrown beer and allegedly urine at him.
- At the prestigious Paris-Roubaix in April 2025, a fan threw a full water bottle into his face.
- He was spat at during the E3 Saxo Classic.
- A cap was thrown into his wheels during the 2024 edition of Paris-Roubaix.
While Van der Poel maintained his cool in Hofstade, he has not always remained calm. At the 2023 Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Hulst, he reacted after suffering repeated abuse. These consistent incidents have led riders, teams, and officials to increasingly call for stronger measures and security to curb dangerous and disrespectful fan behaviour, ensuring the safety and focus of the athletes remain paramount.
