In October 2024, during the Men’s Elite Road Race at the World Championships in Zurich, Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel was involved in a controversial incident. With approximately 58.4 kilometers remaining, van der Poel briefly rode onto a sidewalk to respond to an attack by Marc Hirschi, maneuvering past spectators in the process.
The Latvian Cycling Federation, led by President Sandis Akis, formally protested this action. They argued that, according to UCI regulations, a rider who mounts a sidewalk and endangers the public should face immediate disqualification. Akis referenced previous incidents where similar actions led to disqualifications, such as Marlen Reusser in Gent-Wevelgem and Luke Rowe in the Tour of Flanders.
Despite these concerns, the UCI commissaires overseeing the event determined that van der Poel’s maneuver did not warrant a penalty. They concluded that the action did not pose significant danger and fell outside the circumstances that would typically lead to disqualification, such as gaining a substantial advantage or repeated offenses.
This decision sparked a debate within the cycling community about the consistency of rule enforcement and the implications for rider safety. The Latvian Federation emphasized the need for uniform application of regulations to maintain the sport’s integrity and ensure the safety of both spectators and participants.
As of now, the UCI has upheld its original decision, and no further action has been taken against van der Poel regarding this incident.
