Jumbo-Visma confirms that professional cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck is conscious: ‘The condition is not critical’

A car containing Van Hooydonck and his wife was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Kapellensteenweg, Statiestraat and Dorpsstraat in Kalmthout around 8:30 am. The professional cyclist from Team Jumbo-Visma became unwell behind the wheel and, according to the police, he may have suffered a heart attack. As a result, he pressed the accelerator of his car, after which he hit five cars that were queuing on the other side of the intersection.

The rider was resuscitated on the spot and was taken to hospital when he was conscious. On Tuesday afternoon it became known that he was being kept in an artificial coma. His heavily pregnant wife, who was sitting next to him, was taken to hospital for a check-up. Another driver and a child passenger were slightly injured.

His Jumbo-Visma team now comes with reassuring news: “Nathan Van Hooydonck is awake and has no injuries from the traffic accident earlier today. His health condition is not critical. Further investigation must reveal why Nathan became unwell behind the wheel.” The cycling team thanks everyone for the expressions of support and the healthcare staff in the hospital.

Nathan Van Hooydonck is a 27-year-old professional cyclist from Essen, a neighboring municipality of Kalmthout. Last week he worked with his Jumbo-Visma team in the Tour of Britain, where he assisted leader Wout van Aert as a master servant. Normally, Van Hooydonck would ride the European Championships in the Netherlands next week, in the employ of Van Aert.