Van der Poel "thought I could fix it myself" - Dutchman opens up about World Championships drama

Mathieu van der Poel has given declarations for the first time since the start of the men's Elite Road Race at the World Championships, following an altercation with two minor girls in the team hotel the night before which is currently occupying the headlines in the cycling world.

Van der Poel's lawyer managed to bring the trial hearing to an earlier date, to which the Dutchman pled guilty and paid a fine, but was given his passport back. Arriving back at the Netherlands alongside the Dutch entourage, he talked to reporters on site who eagerly awaited to hear what he had to comment on the altercation, which has seen him banned from returning to Australia for three years.

He admits to the event, “but not with the intention of hurting her," he told VTM. "Anyone who knows me knows that I have never hurt anyone. Those rumors about pushing, they're not true. There are two versions of the story. Only it was difficult from Australia to refute that.”

A video has emerged showing the footage, in which van der Poel enters the room of the minors after they repeatedly knocked on his door. He's been arrested shortly after, but was able to return to the hotel hours later.

“I'm sorry and I made a mistake. I shouldn't have done that. But unfortunately it has happened," he continued. "I should have called the front desk or notified someone but thought I could fix it myself. That turned out wrong. It's up to me to put this behind me. I am already happy to be back home, where I can find some peace and quiet.”