Once again a fan has acted irresponsibly during a cyclocross race, and world champion Mathieu van der Poel was the victim.

During the race in Hofstede, the world champion was cycling alone when, during the eighth and penultimate lap, he was targeted by an unsportsmanlike fan. The man deliberately blew the smoke from his e-cigarette in Van der Poel's face as he was racing at full speed.

The footage clearly shows that it was a deliberate act, as his companions had their smartphones ready to film the annoying action. "I'm not sure if he was a foreigner, but I saw him," Van der Poel calmly told the Sporza camera after the race.

Van der Poel was momentarily surprised but then continued undeterred towards victory. The Dutchman has often been targeted by beer throwers and spitters in the past, and now e-cigarette smoke has been added to the list. The world champion was disappointed, and he hopes that this unsportsmanlike gesture remains an isolated incident and not yet another episode in an already too long series.