There were almost 42 km left. Mathieu van der Poel had a lead of one minute and thirty-eight seconds over the pursuers. But what can we say about this gesture? With just a few centimeters, the dream of a double could have collapsed. A spectator chose right at the moment of the Dutchman's passage on a paved area, to discreetly get rid of a white cap, no doubt distributed a few minutes before by the caravan.
It is impossible to know if the gesture is intentional or if it is simple negligence and the concomitance with the passage of the runner is fortuitous. But the consequences could have been dramatic if the hat had, for example, gotten stuck in the spokes of the runner's rear wheel.
Fortunately, the Alpecin rider was not disturbed. “The safety of the runners is in everyone's hands, let's use them to applaud them, not to cause them trouble! » recalled the international riders’ union (CPA).
The safety of the riders is in everyone's hands, let's use them to applaud them, not to cause them trouble! 👏👏
The safety of runners is in everyone's hands, let's use it to applaud them, not to get them in trouble! 👏👏#respect #fairplay #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/pmeiR2lSS1
— CPA Cycling (@cpacycling) April 7, 2024
In recent days, the question of the safety of the peloton has monopolized the debates. Many falls have occurred in competition or training. Stars like Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel were severely affected. The UCI has promised to intensify its prevention on the subject. A yellow and red card system is being studied. The authorities also call for the responsibility of runners, guilty according to them of sometimes taking reckless risks.
Also read “At least we were able to see the riders pass”: at the heart of the highly anticipated new Paris-Roubaix chicane
But we see with this sequence this Sunday, the behavior of the spectators must also be taken into account. Yves Lampaert notably made a gliding flight in 2022 after being touched by a woman. A few incidents involving the public also tarnished the party last summer at the Tour de France.