"Yes, I saw him. I thought it might have been
Tadej Pogacar. But no, it wasn't him," Rooijakkers laughed in a post-race interview with Sporza at the finish, able to see the funny side of the incident that has caused much controversy online in the aftermath. "No, it was very strange. I don't know what the intention was."
As mentioned though, not all were quite as relaxed about the whole thing as Rooijakkers. For example, TNT Sports commentary of the race were left in total disbelief at how a fan had been allowed to ride so close to the leading riders in such a big race. "It's not funny, it's not big and it's not clever. This is absolutely ridiculous that you would have a spectator riding alongside the riders. They need to be taken off of the road immediately," fumed the commentary.
On Eurosport too, people were left far from impressed. "This is just ridiculous," commented a furious Hannah Walker during her coverage of the race. "If you're a fan, stay at the roadside, cheer the riders on and just enjoy the spectacle. Enjoy the entertainment, you are not part of it."