The annual Superprestige Diegem is a unique event thanks to its night setting and party-like atmosphere.
In the Elite Men’s race on Sunday, the unique race took a turn for the bizarre.
Finally in the lead during Lap 4 after a slow start, Mathieu van der Poel was opening up a gap on Michael Vanthourenhout. After the other Belgians in the Diegem field could not stop Van der Poel, a yellow-clad course marshall did his best to slow the Dutch wunderkind down.
As Van der Poel was getting ready to make a right-hand turn in one of the course’s many narrow sections, a course marshall was standing right in Van der Poel’s line after entering the course to reportedly pick up a pair of glasses.
According to Renaat the course marshall was getting a pair of glasses for a fan. Said he was surprised at MVDP speed and would be embarrassed for 20 years.
— Josh McKinney (@JoshandhisBikes) December 31, 2018
With his head down, Van der Poel ran head first into the course marshall. After taking stock of an apparent neck injury, Van der Poel recovered and chased down Vanthourenhout less than half a lap later.
Van der Poel then went on to win for the eighth straight time at Diegem.
You can watch the bizarre incident below.
Video: Course Marshall Impedes Mathieu van der Poel’s Progress
Brute pech! @mathieuvdpoel is nu zelfs te snel voor de stewards 😱 #SPDiegem pic.twitter.com/SMrqqL1Upc
— SuperprestigeCX (@SuperprestigeCX) December 30, 2018
