The publication of new images of the spectator who threw a cap at Mathieu van der Poel as the world champion rode towards victory in Paris-Roubaix has revived speculation that her action may have been intentional – something the spectator in question has categorically denied.
The cap-throwing incident on the Mérignies sector of pavé sparked uproar when initial footage of the spectator’s action emerged, given the evident possible risks involved, although Van der Poel was unaffected.
“It was clearly never my client’s intention to harm the rider in question. Let alone that she wanted to bring him down. No right-thinking person would do something like that, right?,” the lawyer told Het Laatste Nieuws.
The cap toss was not an isolated incident at Paris-Roubaix. Later in the race, Van der Poel was reportedly doused in beer, as he had been on the Oude Kwaremont during his Tour of Flanders victory the previous week.