SYDNEY
\nThe cyclist Mathieu van der Poel had his convictions quashed appeal on Tuesday having previously pleaded guilty to assaulting two teenagers at an Australian hotel, the national broadcaster reported.
\nThe 27-year-old Dutchman was detained on the eve of the elite road race at the world championships in Wollongong, south of Sydney, in September, where he was among the favorites.
\nPolice alleged he had an altercation with two girls aged 13 and 14 and pushed them \u201cwith one falling to the ground and the other being pushed into a wall causing a minor graze to her elbow\u201d.
\nVan der Poel, who has won a stage on the Tour de France, was charged with two counts of common assault and fined Aus$1,500 (US$1,000). But his convictions were overturned at an appeal hearing at the Sydney Downing Centre District Court, ABC said, citing his lawyer Michael Bowe.
\n\u201cIt was a great outcome, really good,\u201d Bowe said. \u201cYou can\u2019t get a better outcome, so I\u2019m really happy.\u201d
\nThe Newsmen was unable to immediately confirm with the court, which was closed.
\nBowe said Van der Poel should never have been convicted.
\n\u201cNo one wants to carry a conviction forward for the rest of your life when you\u2019re of very good character,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cIn my view the convictions shouldn\u2019t have been made, which was supported by the district court.\u201d
\nIn lieu of the convictions, Van der Poel was given a 12-month conditional release order, under which he must not commit any offence, the broadcaster said.
\nThe cyclist is currently in Belgium, ABC said.
\nVan der Poel had enjoyed a strong season leading into the world championships with wins at Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders.
\nHe was also third at Milan-San Remo, fourth at Amstel Gold Race and ninth at Paris-Roubaix.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SYDNEY The cyclist Mathieu van der Poel had his convictions quashed appeal on Tuesday having previously pleaded guilty to assaulting two teenagers at an Australian hotel, the national broadcaster reported. The 27-year-old Dutchman was detained on the eve of the elite road race at the world championships in Wollongong, south of Sydney, in September, where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":301112,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-301086","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n