Jumbo-Visma rider Nathan Van Hooydonck is reportedly in "hopeful" condition, after having been rushed to hospital after a serious car accident at around 8:30am on Tuesday morning.
According to news reports from Belgium, the 27-year-old was waiting at a junction in the town of Kalmthout, north of Antwerp with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat. He reportedly collapsed while waiting at a junction, causing an inadvertent acceleration into traffic.
Van Hooydonck's car reportedly hit five other vehicles on the other side of the junction before coming to a stop. Van Hooydonck was resuscitated at the scene before being rushed to Antwerp University Hospital along with his wife.
During the early afternoon, some seven hours after the crash, Sporza described Van Hooydonck's condition as "hopeful" with the website reporting that doctors had found no signs of brain damage. Van Hooydonck was reported to have been placed in an artificial coma. Later in the day, Jumbo-Visma confirmed that the Belgian was awake and uninjured, but would be evaluated to determine what caused his collapse.
"A car with two occupants was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Dorpsstraat and Kapelsesteenweg," spokesperson for the border police zone Patrick De Smedt said shortly after the crash, according to 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."
Three other people in other cars involved in the accident – including a young child – suffered minor injuries, according to reports.
Jumbo-Visma – 'We cannot confirm rumours that his condition is critical'
Jumbo-Visma released a statement on Van Hooydonck in the early afternoon, stating that they couldn't confirm any rumours that he's currently in a critical condition.
"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," the team wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.
"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."
Team directeur sportif Grischa Niermann spoke to the media – including Sporza and Het Nieuwsblad – at the Vuelta a España.
The German director said that he doesn't have much information beyond what has been reported by the media. He did say that the riders at the Vuelta have been greatly affected by the news, adding that Van Hooydonck may currently be in an artificial coma.
"I don't know much more than what's in the media. 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," Niermann said.
"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 our minds. You never want to hear this kind of news. We can only have hope."
Van Hooydonck, who turned pro with BMC in 2017, has raced with Jumbo-Visma since 2021, becoming a key part of the team's spring Classics and Tour de France lineups. He has been part of the team supporting Jonas Vingegaard to both of his Tour victories and also helped Primož Roglič during his 2021 Vuelta a España triumph.
His most recent race was at last week's Tour of Britain, where the Dutch team won five stages and the overall via Wout van Aert, and he was set to represent Belgium at the upcoming UEC European Road Championships in the Dutch city of Drenthe.
