“Grosse amende (2000 francs suisses !) pour Van der Poel et Alpecin-Deceuninck après un ravitaillement illégal à Paris-Roubaix !” Hefty Fine for Van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck After Illegal Feeding at Paris-Roubaix…

“Grosse amende (2000 francs suisses !) pour Van der Poel et Alpecin-Deceuninck après un ravitaillement illégal à Paris-Roubaix !”

Hefty Fine for Van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck After Illegal Feeding at Paris-Roubaix…

 

Paris, France – April 14, 2025 — Reigning Paris-Roubaix champion Mathieu van der Poel and his Alpecin-Deceuninck team have been handed a substantial fine of 2,000 Swiss Francs following an illegal feeding incident during Sunday’s “Hell of the North.” The race jury ruled that the Dutch star and his team violated UCI regulations regarding feeding zones, prompting swift disciplinary action.

 

The incident occurred in the final third of the race, as Van der Poel battled harsh cobbles and fierce headwinds on his way to defending his 2024 Roubaix crown. Video footage appeared to show a soigneurs handing bottles and food to the Dutchman well outside of the designated feeding zone, a clear breach of UCI regulations which only allow feeding within certain sections of the race.

 

According to the official communiqué issued post-race by the UCI, Van der Poel was fined 2,000 Swiss Francs (approximately €2,050) under Article 2.3.027 of the UCI rulebook, which prohibits feeding outside authorized zones. Alpecin-Deceuninck was also penalized with a team fine, though the specific amount for the team was not disclosed.

 

The UCI emphasized that while no sporting sanction such as a time penalty or disqualification was imposed, the fine sends a clear message about the importance of respecting race rules. “The safety of riders and the fairness of competition are paramount,” the UCI stated. “Illegal feeding not only undermines the spirit of the sport but can pose serious risks in high-speed race environments like Paris-Roubaix.”

 

The incident adds a twist to what was otherwise a brilliant day for Van der Poel. The Dutchman, already known for his dominance in the cobbled classics, stormed to another commanding solo victory in the Roubaix velodrome, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival. The win marked his second consecutive triumph in the iconic one-day race, cementing his status as one of the most formidable Classics riders of his generation.

 

Speaking to reporters after the finish, Van der Poel appeared unaware of the infringement at the time. “I didn’t realize it was outside the zone,” he said. “You’re so focused on the race, the positioning, the effort—it’s easy to miss those details. But of course, we accept the decision.”

 

Alpecin-Deceuninck issued a brief statement acknowledging the penalty and promising a review of their internal procedures to ensure compliance in future races. “We take this matter seriously,” the team said. “Our staff work under intense pressure during these monuments, but that’s no excuse. We will evaluate how this happened and ensure better alignment with UCI guidelines going forward.”

 

While the fine won’t tarnish Van der Poel’s impressive ride, it serves as a costly reminder that even the best in the sport are not above the rules.