"He should certainly not give up his dream for that" - Mathieu van der Poel responds to Felipe Nystrom ending season early due to shoving incident in Gavere

Mathieu van der Poel and Felipe Nystrom were involved in a controversial incident on Tuesday the 26th of December in Gavere when the world champion was forced to shove the Costa Rican out of the way as he lapped him.

Afterwards, Nystrom released an emotional apology video in which he announced his intention to return to Costa Rica and bring an early end to his cyclocross season. "I feel terrible. It was 1,000% my fault what happened there. Mathieu had to push me - it should have been even harder. I was in the way and I feel very bad about it," said Nystrom. "Normally I had the means to continue until the World Championship. But now I'm just going to leave next week. My mistake yesterday is too big."

Responding to this statement, van der Poel has attempted to ease the Costa Rican's guilt. "I know Felipe Nystrom's story and have sympathy for him," van der Poel answers. "Yesterday, however, he gave me a fright. I initially thought he had pulled over to let me through, until he suddenly wanted to leave when I was at the same height. I pushed to keep myself straight and not hit his bike. to get my face."

"I read that he apologizes, but that's not even necessary. I wasn't angry with him either. Felipe made an error in judgment and that can happen. Everyone makes a mistake sometimes," he concludes. "He should certainly not give up his dream for that. I hope he stays here and continues to complete his planned program."