The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the associations representing the cycling families (CPA for riders, AIOCC for organizers, and AIGCP for teams) unanimously and with the utmost firmness, condemn the unacceptable behavior of a spectator on the roadside during the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix on April 13th.

With 33 kilometers to go, this spectator on the roadside threw a water bottle in the direction of Dutch cyclist Mathieu Van der Poel, hitting him in the face. Such behavior cannot be tolerated in the context of a cycling event.

The UCI and cycling family representatives express their support for the rider and will explore, in collaboration with the competent authorities, all legal channels at their disposal to ensure such behaviors are properly and severely punished, as has happened in the past. They will undertake the same action in the future against any act that threatens the physical integrity of cyclists.

Cycling is one of the few sports that offers such proximity between athletes and the public during events. This is one of its strengths, both for the riders themselves and for the spectators. However, this particularity implies a greater responsibility from the spectators of an event, whose behavior can not only influence the course of the event but also, and even more seriously, endanger the physical integrity of the riders.

For this reason, the UCI and cycling families appeal to the responsibility of each individual spectator and invite everyone to show maximum vigilance when participating in an event, to ensure the safety of all involved parties and the smooth running of the races.