'I was so stupid': Apology from man who threw bottle at van der Poel
'I was so stupid': Apology from man who threw bottle at van der Poel
Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck celebrates his victory after crossing the finish line of the men's 259.20 km of the Paris–Roubaix cycling race. Francois Lo Presti/AFP/dpa
The man who threw a platic bottle in the face of eventual winner Mathieu van der Poel during Sunday's Paris-Roubaix cycling race has expressed regret about his behaviour.
"I was so stupid," Belgian paper Het Laatste Nieuws on Wednesday quoted the man as saying through his lawyer.
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"I picked it [the bottle] up and without thinking threw it when he passed. After half a second it become clear to me how dangerous and stupid that was. I felt bad for days."
The man is also said to have apologised to van der Poel and his team in a letter.
The spectator threw the full bottle at Dutchman van der Poel some 33 kilometres before the finish. The incident was filmed by others and also visible in the TV broadcast of the race.
The suspect reported to the police later in the day.
Prosecutors in Lille have opened a probe after van der Poel's team filed a criminal complaint.
Van der Poel was not hurt but sharply condemned the incident after the race.
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"We can't let this happen," he said. "I hope the suspect is found. He should appear in court because this was attempted manslaughter."
Van der Poel has been the targets of attacks from spectators before. Last year a woman threw a cap at his bike, he has been doused with beer and spat at.
It is believed that his long-standing rivalry with Belgian rider Wout van Aert could be a reason for the incidents.
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