"Such behaviour cannot be tolerated" - UCI publish message regarding Mathieu van der Poel bidon incident

The UCI has released a statement following the incident that included Mathieu van der Poel and a fan during Paris-Roubaix. The now three-time winner of the Hell of the North was victim of a bidon thrown at his face by a spectator during his solo ride to victory, and the story continues to develop in the 24 hours that follow.

"The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the associations representing the families of cycling (CPA for the riders, AIOCC for the organisers and AIGCP for the teams) unanimously condemn, in the strongest terms, the unacceptable behaviour of a spectator during the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix from the side of the road on 13 April," the sport's governing body wrote in a press release this afternoon. 

"With 33 kilometres to go, this spectator on the roadside threw a water bottle in the direction of Dutch cyclist Mathieu Van der Poel, hitting him in the face. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated in the context of a cycling event."

The spectator wasn't initially identified, but later that day he turned himself into the police in Waregem, Belgium. It is since known that he travelled to the race alongside a group of Matej Mohoric supporters - albeit the group chairman has reiterated the lack of relationship or affinity with the man. It is not known whether or which charges will be argued against him.

"The UCI and representatives of cycling’s families express their support for the rider and will explore, in conjunction with the competent authorities, all the legal channels at their disposal so that such behaviour is duly and severely punished, as has already been the case in the past. They will take the same action in the future against any act that threatens the physical integrity of riders."

Whilst there is little the UCI can do in such a case, it is expected at least that in some way there will be consequences towards the spectator following such a shocking and unexpected incident. "Cycling is one of the few sports that offers such proximity between athletes and the public during events. This is one of its assets, both for the riders themselves and for the spectators. However, this particularity implies an increased responsibility for spectators at an event, whose behaviour can not only influence the course of the event, but also, and even more seriously, endanger the physical integrity of the riders."

"This is why the UCI and the cycling families appeal to the responsibility of each and every spectator and invite them to show the utmost vigilance when attending an event, in order to guarantee the safety of all those involved and the smooth running of the races."