FILE – Belgian Nathan van Hooydonck, center, and Frenchman Christophe Laporte, right, ride with the peloton during the ninth stage of the cycling Tour de France over 182.5 kilometers (113.5 miles) with start in Saint- Léonard-de-Noblat and arrival at Puy de Dôme, France, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
Belgian cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck, of the Jumbo-Visma team, was rushed to hospital after losing control of his car at an intersection in Belgium, local police said on Tuesday.
A police spokesperson told AFP the 27-year-old professional cyclist was in critical condition and the hospital was struggling to stabilize him.
Van Hooydonck rode the Tour de France in July, helping teammate Jonas Vingegaard win the overall title.
On Tuesday he crashed his car in Kalmthout, northern Belgium, after feeling unwell while driving, hitting five other cars at an intersection before stopping.
Van Hooydonck’s pregnant wife was also in the vehicle but was not injured.
Jumbo sporting director Grischa Niermann told media at the Vuelta a Espana that the team’s riders were deeply upset by the news.
“We know he had an accident and is in the hospital… I can’t confirm whether he is in mortal danger or not,” Niermann said.
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