Cycling fan admits throwing bottle at Van der Poel was 'stupid'

The Lille public prosecutor's office confirmed on Monday that it had opened an investigation into "violence with a weapon", while the 28-year-old man who threw the bottle handed himself in to Belgian police.

Dutchman Van der Poel went on to win the race for a third straight year.

"I'm so happy that he crossed the finish line first on Sunday, despite my stupid gesture," the fan, who admitted he had "drunk a lot", said in a letter published by Belgian daily Het Laatse Nieuws on Wednesday.

"But at the same time, I realise that I must apologise to all the riders and all the racing fans.

"A water bottle was on the grass. I picked it up and threw it as he passed by -- without thinking. After half a second, I realised how stupid and dangerous it was. I was very embarrassed for days."

Van der Poel's team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, denounced the "dangerous and unacceptable incident".

Van der Poel, who is a seven-time cyclo-cross world champion, has also been spat at several times during his career.

"It is unacceptable," the rider said. "It was a full bidon. It weighed half a kilo and I was riding at 40 kph. It's like being hit in the face with a stone."

A person who spat at Van der Poel during the E3 Classic last month has been identified and will be fined, local police in Ronse said Tuesday.