"Any reaction from Van Der Poel would be justified" - Felipe Orts defends Mathieu van der Poel after pushing Felipe Nystrom

Mathieu van der Poel won today's cyclocross World Cup in Gavere but it was not without it's controversy. Whilst he was the strongest out in the field, a moment of physical contact led to some criticism on social media.

This was, on the early laps of the race, when van der Poel was lapping Costa Rica's Felipe Nystrom - who finished last in the race from those who didn't abandon. The incident is not overly clear, but TV footage seemed to show Nystrom taking a selfie with a fan and rejoining the course with the bike on his shoulder as van der Poel was passing by. It was unclear if that was the exact order of events, however van der Poel pushed him as he passed by, seemingly trying to keep his line.

A few comments were launched towards van der Poel's unnecessarily aggressive behaviour, whilst others defended him. This was the case with Spain's Felipe Orts who finished just outside the Top 10 today.

"I appreciate and respect Felipe's effort but any reaction from Van Der Poel would be justified," the rider argues. "The race is the race and anyone who is not competing in it cannot prevent the first person from going wherever they need."