A couple of weeks back I wrote about the excitement of L’Enfer Du Nord and how a wet race can be so risky for the riders. We know “risky” racing makes for such great viewing but none of want to see riders wipe out and get hurt. We have seen enough of that already this years with multiple seasons ended cornering on a dry road.

Well, that would be the normal logic, yes? Who would want to go to a race and see someone hurt? Matthieu Van Der Poel has already had a difficult year due to rowdy supporters resulting in him spitting at them. It’s sad that matters seem to have come to the point where an incredibly talented pro does something like spit at a crowd. MVDP was back in the press having won Paris-Roubaix, where he made a superb solo effort at the end to dominate the race. It was during this breakaway that the completely uncomprehendable occurred. If you have not already seen the video then please see below.

Apologies for the slightly crappy footage but it’s enough to see a cap seemingly thrown at MVDP as he barrels along the pave at 45 kph. The pave is dangerous enough but what the heck! The incident was bought to the UCI who have stated that local jurisdiction will have to investigate. It seems that the woman in the video, who “throws” the cap, had been in a VIP area but I have not managed to confirm that online. After the Belgian woman had been identified, she apparently claimed that no mal intent was intended and that drink was a factor. Further she has claimed she is indeed a fan of Matthieu and hence could never have meant harm. The footage above is pretty damning but further footage has now appeared and it paints a very clear picture.

I’ll let you decide if this was simply an over jubilant supporter OR something that should never be seen again at a sporting event. I will however make a couple of observations…..

*A cap accidentally launched in an excited moment does not get spun like a frisbee.

*Accidentally loosing control of something might be more plausible if the moments up to it are frantic, as opposed to standing stationary by the side of the road.

*If I had done something like that “by accident” I would not be grinning like I was so happy, rather I would be completely horrified as to what I might have just caused.

I do hope this makes it to the french courts. If this was intentional (!) then such action have to come with some very serious consequences. That said the idiot with the “Allez Opi-Omi” sign was only fined approx 1700 euros. Such ****** stupid actions can end a career with injury. If this stupidity doesn’t stop, the pros are not going to be keen with crowds so close to them, destroying the joy of going to a race and watching it. Pro cycling is dangerous enough without so called “supporters” being ****** morons. Leave a comment with what you think (see link at start if this post for comments)….