🎥 Van der Poel spits at hecklers (and "beer and urine throwers") during Hulst World Cup: "I've had enough"
Cyclo-crossSaturday, 30 December 2023 at 14:13
Mathieu van der Poel impressively continued his streak of victories in Hulst. However, it was primarily a different action of the superstar's that made the news. Footage showed him spitting at a group of spectators. The reason for his reaction was persistent booing, Van der Poel explained afterwards to IDLProCycling.com and other media outlets.
"It was nothing, just a bunch of hecklers. I'm done with that now. It was continuous, even during the warm-up," MVDP explained his action. "Then you might as well stay at home. I've had enough of that booing. Booing does not belong in sports, not for anyone," concluded the clearly cheerful winner.
Van der Poel couldn't "not respond in kind" after series of incidents
What exactly were those spectators shouting at the versatile Dutchman? "You better ask them yourself. I'm not going to repeat it. They were things that do not belong in sports." The 28-year-old cyclist from Kapellen in the Netherlands does not expect to regret his action. "After a while, enough is enough, even for me. It's better not to pay too much attention to it."
A witness at the cyclo-cross race, who saw the incident up close, claims on X (formerly Twitter) that the spectators were doing more than just booing Van der Poel. "Those Belgian 'fans' were throwing beer and urine at him. I was standing right there," reads the message. Van der Poel himself reshared the spectator's message on his X account. When Van der Poel was 'physically' confronted with this in the mixed zone, he stated: "I don't know exactly what was in the cups, but I was hit with all sorts of things. The texts weren't necessarily very offensive. It wasn't so much that it affected me. But it's more that it's not up to me to not respond in kind after all those things."
Video: Mathieu Van der Poel spits at hecklers in Hulst
🚵🇳🇱 | Wat gebeurt hier? Van der Poel spuugt naar 'fans' langs de kant. Hij zegt naderhand boos te zijn om constant boegeroep... 😤😤 #CycloCross #Hulst 📺Veldrijden kijk je live op discovery+
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024