This week's Coxaide cyclo-cross race will see an increased police presence to deter unruly fans from attempting to repeat their attack on Mathieu Van der Pol at the World Cup event in Hulst on December 30.

The Alpecin-Desseuninck rider has won a number of dominating cyclocross victories this season, but in the process of doing so, a small group of spectators threw urine and beer at Van der Poel, who was fined 250 euros after he spat back at the course-side assailants.

In response to the incident, Coxaide organizer Jan Delamut, the X20 Series, where about 10,000 fans watch the elite men's event of Van der Poel, Wout Van Art (Jumbo Visma), and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) promised to step up policing of the race.

Besides, "if athletes are booed, insulted, or have beer or urine thrown at them, they can alert us," Delamut told the Nieuwsblad. [We are in direct contact with the police and we make a special effort to ensure that so-called supporters do not disturb or hinder the participants.

Police drones and additional plainclothes police offices will also likely be used, Delamut told the paper. The switch in focus from the usual security concerns of possible fights and overzealous drinkers in the beer tent was a "response to the current situation," Dellamuto said.

"It is our duty as an organization to be considerate of both the public and the riders. We should ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe cross-country experience. The increased police response was also appreciated by Mathieu's father, Adrie van der Pol, and Sven Nys, another former top racer. He told Nieuwsblad, "This means that, thankfully, we are taking action against the negative behavior of a very small number of people."