Report: Mathieu van der Poel arrested the night before Worlds road race
Mathieu van der Poel arrested the night before Worlds road race
Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel was arrested on the evening prior to the men’s elite road race at the World Championships. Having been in custody until 4 am, he started the race but withdrew with more than 230 km remaining.
Van der Poel was reportedly involved in a noise dispute at the Dutch hotel on Saturday evening (Australian time). According to Sporza, Van der Poel became annoyed after children knocked on his room door several times, with the Dutchman eventually confronting them.
The arm of one of the girls was reportedly injured, leading to the police being called and Van der Poel’s arrest.
Van der Poel confirmed the story with media prior to the start of the race on Sunday morning. “It’s true, yes. There was a small dispute. It was about noisy neighbors and they are quite strict here,” he said.
“I wasn’t back in my room until 4 o’clock. That’s certainly not ideal. It’s a disaster, but I can’t change anything anymore. I’m trying to make the best of it. It is on little sleep that I will race, hopefully on adrenaline.”
Van der Poel shared his side of the story with Sporza. “I went to bed early and many children in the hallway of my room found it necessary to knock on the door,” he said. “After a few times I was done with it. I did not kindly ask to stop. Then the police were called.”
The incident allegedly stemmed from two teenagers playing a game of “knock and run” at his hotel room door. #Wollongong2022 @StanSportAU
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) September 25, 2022
Van der Poel was cleared to start the race – a race which, in normal circumstances, he would be one of the favourites for. However, less than an hour into the race, he abandoned.
Commentators on the local feed stated that Van der Poel’s passport has been seized, and that he is scheduled to appear in Sutherland Court on 27 September.
A New South Wales Police statement confirmed that a 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of common assault.
“About 10.40pm (Saturday 24 September 2022), a man was at a hotel on The Grand Parade, Brighton-le-Sands, when he was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with two teenage girls – aged 13 and 14,” a police spokesperson said.
“It’s further alleged the man then pushed both teenagers, with one falling to the ground and the other being pushed into a wall causing a minor graze to her elbow.
“Hotel management were notified of the incident who then called police. Officers from St George Police Area Command attended and arrested a 27-year-old man shortly after.
“He was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with two counts of common assault. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 27 September 2022.”
Van der Poel has denied pushing the children.
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