(Brussels) Belgian cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck, teammate of Jonas Vingegaard and Wout Van Aert at Jumbo-Visma, was seriously injured on Tuesday in a car accident while he was driving in Kalmthout, in the north of the Belgium, we learned from a police source.
“He was transported to hospital with a life-threatening condition,” a local police spokesperson told AFP.
According to Flemish media, the 27-year-old cyclist lost control of his car after feeling unwell at the wheel before hitting another vehicle while crossing an intersection.
Winner in the afternoon of the 16th stage of the Tour of Spain, Vingegaard gave rather reassuring news from his teammate and friend, to whom he dedicated his success.
“We heard terrible news this (Tuesday) morning, I wanted to win for my best friend, Nathan Van Hooydonck. Fortunately, we had good news about him, it’s a big relief, we hope he will recover quickly,” said the Danish runner after the arrival in Bejes, in Cantabria (north).
The Jumbo-Visma team had previously confirmed the discomfort and accident of its rider. “We can confirm that earlier today our rider Nathan Van Hooydonck became unwell while driving his car, and was involved in a road accident,” she wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
The Dutch team added, however, that they were unable to “confirm the rumors that he is in critical condition”.
“He is undergoing additional medical examinations” at the hospital, she continued.
The runner’s wife, who is pregnant and was at his side during the accident, is unhurt, according to initial findings.
Nathan Van Hooydonck, originally from Gooreind, in a rural area bordering the Netherlands, joined Jumbo-Visma in 2021.
He was entered last week in the Tour of Britain, won by his teammate and compatriot Wout Van Aert.
He has no professional victory, but in February took second place in the Flemish semi-classic Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, behind another Belgian from Jumbo-Visma, Tiesj Benoot.
In 2021, he won another place of honor in the Ghent-Wewelgem race (7th).
