France, April 14 -- A man in Belgium was facing charges on Monday after allegedly throwing a bottle of water at cyclistMathieu van der Poel during the closing stages of Sunday's Paris - Roubaix race, which he won for the third time in a row.

Footage of the incident in the Templeuve cobbled sector just over 30 kilometres from the finish line in Roubaix was caught on TV.

West Flanders public prosecutor's office issued a statement on Monday saying the suspect had been taken to a police station. The man's identity was not given.

Despite the blow to his face,van der Poel managed to continue the course and claim a third successive title at a race nicknamed the 'Hell of the North'.

Van der Poel, who won after completing the 259.2km coursein ...