It doesn't end with controversial comments about Remco Evenepoel's family - Sporza's expert charged with drunk driving
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Ruben Van Gucht, one of the leading cyclocross commentators for Sporza, has been sentenced to a nine-month driving ban and a fine of 4,800 euros by the Dendermonde police court. This adds to Van Gucht's growing number of oversteps after a massive controversy of last year regarding his comments about Remco Evenepoel and his wife.
From available information it becomes clear that at the end of 2024, Van Gucht's driver's license was immediately revoked for 15 days for drunk driving. But instead of obediently serving his period of punishment, the Belgian sat behind the steering wheel on at least 15 occasions without a valid license. He allegedly drove on January 4th, January 12th, and also on January 17th, the day he wanted to retrieve his license in Wetteren.
His lawyer responded to HLN: "My client wasn't aware he wasn't allowed to drive at that moment. He didn't know he first had to blow to prove he was sober before he could get his license back. He was convinced he'd be allowed to drive again after the immediate revocation, even though he hadn't picked up his license yet."
Van Gucht will have to retake his driving test. Furthermore, the drunk driving case is still ongoing in Ghent and Van Gucht's case could have further implications. It remains to be seen for how long will his employer Sporza turn a blind eye to its broadcast star's misdemeanors, or whether consequences will catch up to Van Gucht also at a professional level.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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