Dutch cyclist from the Alpecin‑Deceuninck team Matthew van der Pool considered one of the main favorites for the World Road Cycling Championships in Wollongong, Australia, dropped out 30km into the road race.
The day before the race, Van der Pool was arrested at a hotel. NSW Police released a statement explaining that “at approximately 10.40pm on Saturday 24th September 2022, a man staying at the Grand Parade had an altercation with two teenagers aged 13 and 14”. According to the police version, the cyclist pushed the two teenagers and was taken to the police station for this. Mathieu was charged with common assault on two counts. He was released on bail to appear in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday September 27.
“I went to bed early, but the kids in the hallway next to my room had to constantly knock on the door. After a while, I was done with it. Then the police were called and they told me took away,” Sporza said, quoting Van der Pool.
The athlete almost did not have time to rest, however, he decided to start, but retired at the start of the race.
Alpecin-Deceuninck manager Christoph Rudhoft said Van der Poel was “mentally broken” and said he would have to stay in Australia for at least 6 weeks due to a lawsuit stemming from a dispute.
The World Road Cycling Championship will end on September 25.
Source : MatchTV
