'Mentally broken' Van der Poel arrested before world title race / Photo: Marco BERTORELLO - AFP
-
Sherilyn Smith Encourages Women to Embrace Scars as Symbols of Resilience
-
Korea's Severe Asthma Patients Blocked from Biologics by Restrictive Reimbursement Rules
-
Belgium Signs Contract for 20 Rheinmetall Skyranger Air Defence Systems
-
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Signs Pacts With London and Ottawa Institutions at CIIE
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces Fulcrum to Increase Shareholding in Loyalist
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - November 10
-
New Gold IRA Investing Guide Explains How to Buy Gold in an IRA for American Consumers
-
RBI Data Reveals Divergence in Credit Card Spending and Debit Card Cash Withdrawals
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
-
Sweet As app launches restaurant discovery platform
-
Two more arrested in Carrie Mullane suspected murder investigation
-
Phoenix Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner to Go for Pickup
-
MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road
-
Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism
-
Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks
-
Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring
-
Canadian soldier Aidan Goulding remembered at Vancouver funeral
-
Second major storm brings destructive winds and outages to British Columbia
-
Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka
-
Godzilla Minus Zero leads North American box office with $31.6m
-
Robert Trujillo discusses literacy and social justice children’s books
-
Advocate calls for coordinated support for children facing trafficking
-
Civil rights advocate William Bill Tucker dies aged 98
-
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Review Your Coverage Options
-
Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections
-
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
-
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
-
Nvidia CEO Controversy Sparks Fears of Tighter U.S. AI Chip Curbs for Samsung and SK hynix
-
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
-
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
-
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
-
Nottinghamshire launches specialist rural crime policing team
-
Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme
-
China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit
-
Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth
-
Rail journey offers a slower route to a Berlin city break
-
Energy bill plan could use HMRC income data to target support
-
Arsenal control title race as Manchester United fall into bottom three
-
Business owner earning £6,000 a month tackles £70,000 debt
-
Suspected Krakow gunman dies after attack that killed six
-
Nvidia chief faces inquiry after disclosing affair with suspected Chinese agent
-
Carrick backs Dalot after hostile reception from Manchester United fans
-
Comet returns as online electrical marketplace 14 years after collapse
'Mentally broken' Van der Poel arrested before world title race
Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel was arrested on the eve of Sunday's elite road race at the world championships after a late-night altercation with noisy neighbours, leaving him "mentally broken".
The 27-year-old was among the favourites for the rainbow jersey and started the 266.9 kilometre (165.4 mile) slog around the coastal city of Wollongong south of Sydney on Sunday, but retired in the early stages.
Christoph Roodhooft, a director of his Team Alpecin-Deceuninck, said the rider was shattered.
"He didn't sleep all night and was mentally a bit broken as well," Roodhooft told reporters.
"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 today."
Belgium broadcaster Sporza said it spoke to Van der Poel before the start and he told them: "It's true, yes.
"There was a small dispute. It was about noisy neighbours and they are quite strict here.
"I wasn't back in my room until four o'clock (in the morning). That's certainly not ideal. It's a disaster, but I can't change anything any more. I'm trying to make the best of it."
New South Wales state police confirmed a dispute took place at a hotel in Sydney and that a 27-year-old man was charged with common assault, but would not name those involved.
"About 10.40 pm (Saturday), a man was at a hotel ... when he was allegedly involved in a verbal altercation with two teenage girls -– aged 13 and 14," police said in a statement to AFP.
"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."
Police were called by hotel management and they "arrested a 27-year-old man shortly after".
"He was taken to Kogarah Police Station (in Sydney) and charged with two counts of common assault."
The man was bailed to appear at a Sydney court on Tuesday.
Roodhooft confirmed Van der Poel was taken to a police station "to make an explanation, and that's what happened".
"He was asked by a police officer to tell them what happened and sign, then he could go."
Van der Poel has enjoyed an enviable 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.
Y.Aukaiv--AMWN