'Scumbags' - Outrage as spectator throws bottle in Mathieu van der Poel's face at Paris-Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix took a dark turn as a spectator threw a bottle in the face of solo leader Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutchman was charging towards a third straight title after rival Tadej Pogacar crashed on debut, but the roadside attack shocked the race. “Scumbags,” raged Adam Blythe on TNT Sports commentary. Thankfully, Van der Poel powered on to Roubaix glory as he completed a fine treble.

There was a shocking moment at Paris-Roubaix as a rogue spectator hurled a bottle into the face of race leader Mathieu van der Poel.

Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was powering towards a historic third straight win, having gone solo after Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) crashed while overcooking a corner.

But with the gap hovering around 20 seconds, a roadside fan targeted Van der Poel during a section of cobbles – a yellow bottle striking him square in the face.

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"Who on earth comes to a bike race to do that? What are you playing at?" cried a stunned Rob Hatch on TNT Sports commentary.

Thankfully, the bottle bounced clear and Van der Poel rode on untroubled towards a famous Roubaix treble.

"Just scumbags," added Adam Blythe. "I can't believe someone is doing this. It's just beyond belief. Good news is it didn’t affect him – but yeah, disgusting. Just do one. Don’t bother coming out."

It had looked like Van der Poel and Pogacar would go head-to-head to the finish until the world champion hit the deck with 38km remaining amid an absorbing duel.

'Came in way too hot' - Pogacar crashes after overcooking corner

Video credit: TNT Sports

Aware he would likely lose a sprint, Pogacar was trying to escape when he carried too much speed into a corner and crashed.

After untangling his bike – with help from spectators – he remounted and briefly closed the gap to within 15 seconds, but his challenge fizzled out before he ultimately needed a bike change.

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