Earlier this month,
Eli Iserbyt became the most talked-about
rider in cyclocross for all the wrong reasons. The 26-year-old found himself at
the centre of controversy after being disqualified in Beringen for lashing out
at Ryan Kamp following a crash. This incident led to a suspension, and while
Iserbyt returned to action with a victory this weekend, the backlash has hardly
faded.
In de Leiderstrui caught up with a number of riders and team members over the weekend, to get their thoughts on the online abuse.
In the wake of the incident,
Iserbyt has reported receiving
a flood of online hate, highlighting the darker side of fan reactions within
the sport. Speaking at Heerderstrand, he acknowledged the toll the backlash has
taken and directed some responsibility towards the media, saying, "I think
it is mainly up to the media that allow responses to their reports to monitor
them. Some media don't tolerate reactions, and I think that's a good thing. If
you can't monitor it, you shouldn't allow it, in my opinion."
Reflecting on his experience, Iserbyt emphasised the media's
impact on public perception: "The media plays a significant role; they
feed the people who read what the journalists write. Today, it is becoming
increasingly important not to stir up public opinion. That is the most
important thing for me, and the media realizes they play a significant role.
It's not over for me. I'm racing again, so it will slowly start to fade, but
these will remain issues that will always stay with me."
Support from within the cycling community has been mixed.
Iserbyt’s teammate, Michael Vanthourenhout, expressed empathy for the scrutiny
his colleague faced. “I can only imagine it's not nice when someone sends such
messages. In that respect, I think the reactions also show some jealousy. It's
not fun for anyone who has been discredited. Everyone makes mistakes, and Eli
deserves a second chance.” Vanthourenhout, who has won four cyclocross World
Cup races himself, is no stranger to the pressures that come with high-profile
competition.
Lars van der Haar, another notable figure in cyclocross,
echoed concerns over the nature of online abuse, highlighting the divide
between real fans and abusive critics. “The real cross fans don't do it, and
those are the people we ultimately depend on," he remarked, before adding,
"Behind a laptop, it's so easy to ruin someone completely. That's just
really sad.”
This issue of online abuse within cyclocross is not isolated
to Iserbyt. Six-time world cyclocross champion
Mathieu van der Poel has also
faced aggression, though of a more physical nature. Over the course of the last
few years van der Poel has endured verbal abuse, spitting, and even urine
thrown at him during a race, eventually retaliating against a group of fans.
Such incidents highlight the range of abuse athletes face, whether from behind
screens or on the sidelines.
Cyclocross legend Sven Nys weighed in, remarking on the way
social media has changed the dynamics of fan interactions. “On social media,
people can very easily express their opinions without being taken to
task," Nys commented. "That's not new, something social media has
brought with it. It's a shame that nowadays, anyone can call themselves a
journalist, and little is done about such comments. If you have a lot of
success, you have a lot of critics who would rather have you fall on your face.
I used to experience that as an athlete, too."
The discussion over Iserbyt’s suspension and subsequent
abuse sheds light on a broader issue affecting not only cyclocross but sports
as a whole. Athletes and their supporters are calling for greater
accountability from media outlets and a shift in how fans engage online. As
Iserbyt returns to racing, this debate continues, with many hoping for a more
respectful environment for competitors and fans alike.