Mathieu van der Poel’s latest win at the X²O Badkamers Trofee was decisive, but it seemed like another spectator had pulled a dumb move. But maybe, this time, it was simply an accident. Long before the race settled into its familiar rhythm, the world champion found himself fighting to stay upright.
The incident unfolded in the opening lap, when Van der Poel, still moving through traffic, was forced into a sudden correction at speed. Television images suggested a spectator’s hand brushed him as he exited a corner. it nearly knocked him off balance on one of the faster sections of the circuit.
Not intentional…this time
Speaking afterward, Van der Poel said he had not yet reviewed the footage. But made it clear he did not believe the moment was intentional. “I think the guy was just cheering,” he said in a post-race interview with Sporza, as reported by Wielerflits. adding that he sensed no malicious intent.
Flats ruin Wout van Aert’s day at Loenhout round of the X2O Trofee
That didn’t stop the Dutchman from acknowledging how close the situation came to ending badly. “I was very lucky,” Van der Poel said. “I only just managed to stay upright, and that was in a really fast section.”
🎥 Sporza. Video of the 🇳🇱 Mathieu van der Poel ‘incident’ in 🇧🇪 Loenhout. https://t.co/4ZIvAcz0vs pic.twitter.com/y1ylF1cH3q
— Cyclocross24.com (@cyclocross24) December 29, 2025
He pointed out that even minor contact can have major consequences in cyclocross. “If someone touches your handlebar, it can go any direction,” he said, underlining how little margin riders have when spectators line the course.
Thankfully, this time, it wasn’t something he had endured before. The two incidents at Paris-Roubaix, the drunk fans…it’s all a bit much sometimes.
The real bummer of the day was the Wout van Aert and MvdP duel didn’t materialize. The Visma – Lease a Bike flatted early and the world champ was long gone by the time he got a spare. But don’t worry, there are still a bunch more races where you can see the Big Two–and in fact, the perhaps “new” Big Three, race.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…