Philippe Gilbert and Loïc Vliegen have been convicted of assault and carrying illegal pepper spray

Ex-pro Philippe Gilbert and Intermarché-Circus-Wanty rider Loïc Vliegen have been convicted of assault in Belgium, with Gilbert also handed a conviction for carrying illegal pepper spray.

The incident in question took place back in April of 2016 in the riders' native Belgium whilst both Gilbert and Vliegen were riding together at BMC. In court, the pair told of how they were “dangerously overtaken” whilst on a training ride, before laterally coming across the car in traffic, at which point words were exchanged, eventually leading to a physical altercation in which Gilbert sprayed the other driver with pepper spray. Gilbert actually broke three of his fingers in the incident.

Although both Gilbert and Vliegen have been convicted of assault, Gilbert was awarded €500 in compensation while Vliegen is to receive €1,000, with both riders being forced by the courts to pay a nominal fee of €1 to the motorist.