(Paris) Belgian cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck, 27, is stopping his career with immediate effect after the discovery of a heart problem which caused him to become unwell while driving eight days ago, his team Jumbo-Visma announced Wednesday.
“After a battery of tests, Van Hooydonck was diagnosed with a heart abnormality. She caused the illness that almost cost him his life last week. This discovery means the end of his professional career,” the Dutch team said in a press release, specifying that a cardiac defibrillator had been fitted to the rider on Tuesday.
Van Hooydonck, teammate of Jonas Vingegaard and Wout Van Aert in the last two Tours de France, caused an accident involving several vehicles last week in Kalmthout, in the north of Belgium, after feeling unwell at the wheel.
He was taken to hospital with a life-threatening condition. His wife, who is pregnant and was at his side, escaped the accident unhurt.
“I realize that I was incredibly lucky […] I am fine now, but I have to come to terms with the fact that this is the end of my professional career,” said Van Hooydonck, who left the university hospital from Antwerp this Wednesday.
“I’m going to focus on rehabilitation and my future fatherhood. Everything is going well for Alicia and her pregnancy and we are impatiently awaiting the birth. This helps me a lot,” he added in his team’s press release.
Nathan Van Hooydonck, originally from Gooreind, in a rural area bordering the Netherlands, joined Jumbo-Visma in 2021.
He has no professional victory, but took second place in the Flemish Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne semi-classic in February. He was best known for his teamwork.
