The 2025 Tour de France saw a tense moment during the second stage, when Tadej PogaÄŤar, one of the most talented riders of his generation, vented his anger. The incident occurred after PogaÄŤar accused Mathieu van der Poel’s fans and family of putting him under enormous psychological pressure. He claimed, in particular, that a water bottle had been thrown in his direction, an action he deemed a deliberate attempt to unsettle him.
The incident took a dramatic turn when a member of Van der Poel’s family reportedly threw a water bottle in a fit of anger. PogaÄŤar, visibly disturbed by the attack, lost his composure. In the minutes that followed, he saw his chances of victory slip away, finishing a disappointing second. This performance fell far short of his expectations, and many wondered if the incident had affected his physical and mental abilities during the race.
The matter didn’t end there. Barely five minutes after the incident, Roxanne Bertels, Mathieu van der Poel’s wife, reacted with a vigorous defense of her husband. She firmly refuted PogaÄŤar’s accusations, offering her own version of events. According to Bertels, the incident had been misinterpreted and was in no way the result of an intentional maneuver to upset PogaÄŤar. She insisted that Van der Poel’s family had never intended to put any psychological pressure on the Slovenian athlete.
The feud quickly attracted media and fan attention, dividing public opinion. On the one hand, some support PogaÄŤar, believing that no athlete should be subjected to such psychological pressure, especially in a competition as intense as the Tour de France. On the other hand, supporters of Van der Poel and Bertels consider the accusations to be exaggerated and part of a media game to fuel the drama surrounding the race.
The tensions between the two riders have undoubtedly added an extra dimension to this edition of the Tour de France, an event already renowned for its fierce competition and high-tension moments. As the next stage approaches, all eyes will be on these two cycling giants, eager to see how this story will influence the rest of their duel.
Ultimately, the incident between Tadej PogaÄŤar and Mathieu van der Poel’s family is a reminder of the constant pressure elite athletes are under. In such a cutthroat environment, where every gesture and word can have a significant impact, it’s clear that the 2025 Tour de France will not only be a battle of legs, but also a psychological clash that could well decide the future of these champions.
