Ruben Van Gucht, one of the leading cyclocross commentators for Sporza, has been sentenced to a nine-month driving ban and a fine of 4,800 euros by the Dendermonde police court. This adds to Van Gucht’s growing number of oversteps after a massive controversy of last year regarding his comments about Remco Evenepoel and his wife.
From available information it becomes clear that at the end of 2024, Van Gucht’s driver’s license was immediately revoked for 15 days for drunk driving. But instead of obediently serving his period of punishment, the Belgian sat behind the steering wheel on at least 15 occasions without a valid license. He allegedly drove on January 4th, January 12th, and also on January 17th, the day he wanted to retrieve his license in Wetteren.
His lawyer responded to HLN: “My client wasn’t aware he wasn’t allowed to drive at that moment. He didn’t know he first had to blow to prove he was sober before he could get his license back. He was convinced he’d be allowed to drive again after the immediate revocation, even though he hadn’t picked up his license yet.”
Van Gucht will have to retake his driving test. Furthermore, the drunk driving case is still ongoing in Ghent and Van Gucht’s case could have further implications. It remains to be seen for how long will his employer Sporza turn a blind eye to its broadcast star’s misdemeanors, or whether consequences will catch up to Van Gucht also at a professional level.