Paris-Roubaix cap-throwing spectator offered a deal to avoid legal action

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French cycling union wants woman to be the face of a safety campaign

Mathieu van der Poel on the attack on the Merignies-Avelin cobblestones sector where a spectator threw a hat toward his wheels
Mathieu van der Poel on the attack on the Merignies-Avelin cobblestones sector where a spectator threw a hat toward his wheels (Image credit: Getty Images)

A woman accused of intentionally throwing a cycling cap at Mathieu van der Poel during his ride to victory in Paris-Roubaix has been offered a deal to avoid charges of intentional assault and battery.

The incident came with 42km to go in the 2024 edition of Paris-Roubaix while Van der Poel was in the midst of a winning solo breakaway. The women could be seen in video throwing her hat toward Van der Poel's bike. Fortunately, the cap bounced off did not get lodged in his drivetrain or cause any other problems.

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However, the French cycling union (L'association Nationale des Coureurs Français) decided to file a complaint with the police for 'intentional assault and battery'. On Friday, the union offered to drop the complaint on three conditions, according to Wielerrevue.nl.

The union wants the woman to admit wrongdoing, volunteer for the 'Les Amis de Paris-Roubaix', a volunteer group that helps to maintain the cobbled sections of the race route, and finally, to become the face of a public campaign to encourage safety from cycling fans.

"We have received the cycling union's proposal," says her lawyer. "We will now discuss it thoroughly to see whether we can respond to it. My client wants to take responsibility, but we want to see the proposals first."

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Laura Weislo
Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.