East Flanders

Dutch rider Van der Poel, who won the race on 28 March, was spat on in the East Flanders city of Ronse while leading solo with about 30km remaining.

The East Flanders public prosecutor's office confirmed to BBC Sport a report from AFP that Ronse police had identified the culprit, who admitted spitting on Van der Poel.

Christoph D'Haese, the mayor of Aalst, East Flanders, was quoted by local media as telling Mr Van Quickenborne he had "ridiculed" police and showed a "lack of respect".

“The East Flanders road police were able to intercept the man in Groot-Bijgaarden, and it turned out that it was indeed this person and the wanted vehicle,” he said.

One suspect was charged with theft with violence and theft with aggravated violence, another with intentional beatings and incapacitating injuries, and all five with culpable negligence, the East Flanders prosecutor’s office said in a statement released Friday.