Dutch cycling star Mathieu van der Poel has been arrested and charged with common assault in Sydney ahead of the UCI Road World Championships elite men’s road race.
The charge comes following an alleged incident at his hotel on Saturday night. The 27-year-old, who is a Tour de France stage winner, was the favourite for the road race taking place on Sunday in Wollongong, Australia.
He ended up starting the race but retired after less than an hour. Regarding the alleged incident in the hotel, Van der Poel told Belgian sports website Sporza that he had confronted two children who were knocking on his hotel room door “continuously”.
“I went to bed early and many children in the hallway of my room found it necessary to knock on the door continuously,” Van der Poel told the publication.
He also added that, after he was charged, he didn’t return to his hotel room until 4am local time, the night before his big race. The race itself began at 10.15am.
New South Wales police said: "He was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with two teenage girls - aged 13 and 14.
"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."
The cyclist was granted conditional bail and is due to appear on Tuesday at the Sutherland local court.
Van der Poel, one of the biggest stars in cycling at the moment, had been favourite to win the rainbow jersey out in Wollongong. He is also a four-time cyclo-cross champion, 2013 road race junior world champion and also a two time Tour of Flanders winner.
