Belgian cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck is understood to be fighting for his life after the Jumbo-Visma rider crashed his car in Belgium after falling ill while driving his pregnant wife.
Van Hooydonck, who completed last week’s Tour of Britain where his team-mate Wout van Aert won the overall title, reportedly crashed into five vehicles having fallen ill, causing him to inadvertently accelerate.
“A car with two occupants was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Dorpsstraat and Kapelsesteenweg,” a spokesperson for the border police zone told Het Nieuwsblad.
“The driver was resuscitated on site and taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. His pregnant wife who was sitting next to him was not injured but was also taken to hospital for a check-up.”
Van Hooydonck, 27, was, according to reports, taken to hospital following the incident in Kalhmthout, just north of Antwerp, at around 8:30am on Tuesday morning.
Speaking ahead of stage 16 of the Vuelta a España – where Jumbo-Visma lead with American rider Sepp Kuss – sporting director Grischa Niermann told Belgian media Van Hooydonck may have been placed in an artificial coma.
“I don’t know much more than what’s in the media,” Niermann said. “We know he had an accident and is in hospital. I think he’s in an artificial coma. I can’t confirm whether or not he’s in mortal danger.
“We do know that we, especially the riders, are very affected. We hope that Nathan is OK, that his condition improves, and that his wife is OK.
“The riders have reacted strongly to the news. We’re here in the Vuelta with the leader’s jersey and we’ll be racing again soon. That’s not easy, and I hope that soon we’ll be able to focus. You never want to hear this kind of news. We can only have hope.”
Jumbo-Visma confirmed on X, the social media website, that Van Hooydonck is in hospital but did not confirm reports his condition is critical.
A statement read: “We can confirm that earlier today our rider Nathan Van Hooydonck became unwell while driving his car, leading to his involvement in a traffic accident.
“He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he is receiving good medical care. We cannot confirm rumours that his condition is critical. He is undergoing further medical examinations. Thank you all for your messages to Nathan and the team.”
Having turned professional with BMC Racing in 2017, Van Hooydonck joined the Dutch super-team Jumbo-Visma in 2021 where he has played a key role for Jonas Vingegaard’s two Tour de France wins, and Primoz Roglic’s third Vuelta title in 2021.
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Van Hooydonck, who completed last week’s Tour of Britain where his team-mate Wout van Aert won the overall title, reportedly crashed into five vehicles having fallen ill, causing him to inadvertently accelerate.
“A car with two occupants was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Dorpsstraat and Kapelsesteenweg,” a spokesperson for the border police zone told Het Nieuwsblad.
“The driver was resuscitated on site and taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. His pregnant wife who was sitting next to him was not injured but was also taken to hospital for a check-up.”
Van Hooydonck, 27, was, according to reports, taken to hospital following the incident in Kalhmthout, just north of Antwerp, at around 8:30am on Tuesday morning.
Speaking ahead of stage 16 of the Vuelta a España – where Jumbo-Visma lead with American rider Sepp Kuss – sporting director Grischa Niermann told Belgian media Van Hooydonck may have been placed in an artificial coma.
“I don’t know much more than what’s in the media,” Niermann said. “We know he had an accident and is in hospital. I think he’s in an artificial coma. I can’t confirm whether or not he’s in mortal danger.
“We do know that we, especially the riders, are very affected. We hope that Nathan is OK, that his condition improves, and that his wife is OK.
“The riders have reacted strongly to the news. We’re here in the Vuelta with the leader’s jersey and we’ll be racing again soon. That’s not easy, and I hope that soon we’ll be able to focus. You never want to hear this kind of news. We can only have hope.”
Jumbo-Visma confirmed on X, the social media website, that Van Hooydonck is in hospital but did not confirm reports his condition is critical.
A statement read: “We can confirm that earlier today our rider Nathan Van Hooydonck became unwell while driving his car, leading to his involvement in a traffic accident.
“He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he is receiving good medical care. We cannot confirm rumours that his condition is critical. He is undergoing further medical examinations. Thank you all for your messages to Nathan and the team.”
Having turned professional with BMC Racing in 2017, Van Hooydonck joined the Dutch super-team Jumbo-Visma in 2021 where he has played a key role for Jonas Vingegaard’s two Tour de France wins, and Primoz Roglic’s third Vuelta title in 2021.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.