Top Dutch bike owner Mathieu van der Poel pleaded responsible on Monday to widespread assault after being arrested over an altercation with two teenage girls at a Sydney resort, a courtroom official stated.
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The 27-year-old was arrested on the eve of Sunday’s elite street race on the world championships in Wollongong, the place he was among the many favourites.
Van der Poel, who has received a stage on the Tour de France, was due in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday however pleaded responsible on Monday and was fined A1 500 (R17 700), in accordance to a courtroom assertion offered by an official.
He is reportedly on his means residence to the Netherlands, along with his lawyer Michael Rowe saying his passport had been returned and he was free to depart Australia.
“I’m sure he’s keen to leave the country after this,” he added.
Police alleged that the bike owner had an altercation with two girls aged 13 and 14 on Saturday night and pushed them “with one falling to the ground and the other being pushed into a wall causing a minor graze to her elbow”.
Mathieu van der Poel charged with two counts of assault
Van der Poel was charged with two counts of widespread assault. The courtroom assertion stated he was fined A$1 000 for one cost and A$500 for the opposite.
“It’s a sad result because I think obviously he was very frustrated with teenagers knocking on his door causing him to not be able to get to sleep,” Rowe informed Dutch broadcaster NOS outdoors the courtroom.
“He’s gone out to speak to them, they’ve knocked on his door a number of times… it was very plausible how it all happened and it’s very disappointing that he’s been convicted of this offence.”
Rowe stated he deliberate to enchantment with Van der Poel having “a great reputation”.
“He’s flown all the way to Australia, it’s a massive event, only those who understand cycling realise how big this event is,” he added.
“He felt like he let his country down, he felt like he let his team down. It’s a long way to come to have circumstances like this. He’ll learn by the experience.”
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Mathieu van der Poel began the 266.9km race across the coastal metropolis of Wollongong, south of Sydney, however retired within the early levels.
Remco Evenepoel was topped champion
Christoph Roodhooft, a director of his Team Alpecin-Deceuninck, stated Van der Poel was shattered by the expertise.
“He didn’t sleep all night and was mentally a bit broken as well,” he informed reporters on Sunday.
“He was expecting a lot of this day (race) and did all he could in the last two months after his bad Tour de France. He had found joy and happiness again in cycling and was hoping to have a nice race.”
In his absence, Belgium ace Remco Evenepoel stormed to victory with a spectacular solo trip, ending 2:21 forward of Frenchman Christophe Laporte after the 6 hours and 16 minutes endurance check to declare the rainbow jersey.
Van der Poel has loved a powerful season with wins at Dwars Door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders, third at Milan-San Remo, fourth at Amstel Gold Race and ninth at Paris-Roubaix.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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