Nystrom apologizes for the incident with Van der Poel: "I really don't deserve to be here"

In the World Cup cyclocross race in Gavere a few days ago, the image of Van der Poel pushing Costa Rican cyclist Felipe Nystrom when he crossed his path as he was about to be lapped sparked controversy among fans of the discipline of mud.

Felipe Nystrom will end his cyclocross season ashamed of his action in the Gavere World Cup

Felipe Nystrom is an anonymous 40-year-old Costa Rican cyclist who has been competing regularly in the Cyclocross World Cup since 2021 after a short stint on the road where his best result was the Costa Rica Championship he won in 2019. Otherwise, he is one of those cyclists who complete the grids of various competitions with the sole hope of being able to compete at the highest level alongside their idols in the world's best races.

However, Felipe Nystrom came out of anonymity a few days ago when, in the midst of the World Cup cyclocross race held in Gavere, he crossed the path of Mathieu van der Poel, who was already fully highlighted in pursuit of his fourth victory in four races in which he has participated. The Dutchman, faced with the difficulty of changing the path in a completely muddy area, pushed Felipe Nystrom aside with his arm to continue pedaling relentlessly.

It would have been just another race incident if it weren't for the fact that Nystrom was being lapped, which, according to the rules of the specialty, automatically puts him out of the race and, on the other hand, because once he lost his chances of achieving a good result, the Costa Rican cyclist was enjoying the fervor of the Belgian public, the incident occurring just as he was resuming the march, bike on his shoulder, after approaching a spectator who asked him to take a selfie.

The reactions, magnified as usual on social networks, were not long in coming with many criticizing Mathieu van der Poel's slap to make his way in a situation where he had the race completely won. On the other hand, there were those who pointed out Felipe Nystrom for not being attentive to the arrival of the race lead and leaving the path free as is his obligation. Some harsh criticisms in which some even wondered what a rider like him was doing in a top category race, pointing out that he did not have the minimum acceptable level for a World Cup test.

Some criticisms that have affected Felipe Nystrom who quickly came out to apologize to Mathieu van der Poel while making it clear that he felt tremendously ashamed of the incident, so much so that he had even made the decision not to continue his participation in the cyclocross season that he had planned to follow until the World Championship.

For his part, Mathieu van der Poel came out in support of the Costa Rican, stating that there was no reason to apologize. "I'm not angry with him. Felipe made a mistake in judgment and that can happen to anyone. He shouldn't give up his dream because of that. I hope he stays and continues with his race program," explained the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.