10/04/2024

Woman who threw hat at Mathieu van der Poel at Paris-Roubaix already identified and in contact with authorities but "she does not want to have that conversation in the media"

Mathieu van der Poel has for the past few weeks been thrown several things whilst leading some of the biggest cycling races in the world but perhaps the most unusual was a hat. That happened at Paris-Roubaix, the woman's lawyer has commented on the ongoing case that has been opened.

“She would like to explain everything, but she does not want to have that conversation in the media,” the lawyer of the woman in question told Het Nieuwsblad. “We have also already contacted the French riders' union. That happened this week. We have taken the step. In that message, my client identified herself and clarified that she is the woman seen in the images. She has also indicated that she is open to a conversation and that she would like to provide the union with an explanation about what happened there.”

"It is now up to the woman in question to tell her story" - Mathieu van der Poel's cap thrower set to turn themselves in

This rather odd situation happened with 42 kilometers to go when the World Champion was riding at the head of the race by himself towards a solo win in Roubaix. A spectator deliberately threw a hat in the direction of his wheels, however failing to cause damage. Only a week after being thrown beer on several occasions at the Tour of Flanders, the CPA has made it clear that it would pursue to identify the culprits for these actions, and are actively implementing consequences to them also as a prevention for future incidents such as this.

“She would like to explain everything. We are now waiting for a response. It was evident that my client's intention were never to harm the rider in question," the woman's lawyer argues. Bringing up the question of why she did that however... "Let alone that she wanted to bring him down. No sane person would do something like that, right? My client prefers to keep the explanation for the discussion with the riders' association. She can explain this to them in scents and colors. But she doesn't want to have that conversation in the media.”