YOU STOPPED ME BEING A LOOSER

Caught-short cycling champ credits Scots couple who let him use their toilet to deliver 'a big massive message'

- MARK MCGIVERN

WORLD champion road cyclist Mathieu van der Poel credited his thrilling win to the hospitality of a Scots couple who let them use their loo. 

The Dutch superstar was caught short after protesters stopped the race in the Carron Valley, near Falkirk, and he believed his big race chance could be in tatters.

But Mathieu was welcomed into the home – and toilet – of Davie Findlay and wife Shona, where he took care of business.

The rider sent a message via Dutch TV, which made clear he would simply not have been able to win the race if his more pressing business had not been taken care of.

Mathieu, who thrilled a crowd of up to 200,000 in Glasgow city centre on Sunday, said he had to deliver a “big massive message” at the Findlays.

And it’s also possible that he benefited by losing a few ounces on the unscheduled stop.

Mathieu said: “I’m now the first Dutch world champion in 38 years. It was a crazy day.

“But I have to go back to the middle of the race for the most important part.

“I had to do a big massive message. I had to knock on the door of a couple’s house along the course.