Eli Iserbyt files complaint after incident with a fan at Koppenbergcross: "It was very unexpected"

Last Friday's Koppenbergcross was marred by a troubling incident involving Belgian cyclocross star Eli Iserbyt. During the second lap of the race, a spectator threw a full cup of beer at Iserbyt, an unexpected act that left him visibly shaken. "It was very unexpected. I was not feeling well for a moment," Iserbyt told Wielerflits after the race, reflecting on the shock of the incident.

Following the disturbance, police quickly escorted the beer-throwing spectator away. Iserbyt’s team, as well as the event organisers, have filed an official complaint, seeking accountability for what they see as an unacceptable disruption to the race.

Team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen expressed his frustration, condemning the behaviour in strong terms. "Such people should better stay at home, this has no place in sports," Mettepenningen remarked to Sporza. He also addressed the online harassment that Iserbyt has faced, calling out those who engage in bullying from behind their screens. "That Eli also had to deal with bullying on the internet? I think it's a bit stupid, those people at home on their keyboards. It's just crappy. Those people are marginal," he added.

The incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a highlight of the cyclocross season, raising questions about fan behaviour and respect for athletes. Both Iserbyt’s team and race organisers hope their complaint will serve as a deterrent to prevent similar occurrences in the future.