Professional cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck, who helped Jonas Vingegaard’s second Tour de France victory in July, has to end his career due to a heart muscle anomaly.
His racing team Jumbo-Visma announced this on Wednesday (September 20th, 2023). The 27-year-old caused a traffic accident last week when he felt unwell behind the wheel and then had to be resuscitated. The Belgian has since been able to leave the hospital and a pacemaker has been inserted into him.
“Incredibly lucky”
“I realize that I was incredibly lucky”says Van Hooydonck: “It might have been different if I hadn’t gotten good help so quickly. I’m fine now, but I’m still coming to terms with the fact that this is the end of my professional career.”
Several cars were damaged in the accident in Kalmthout near Antwerp. His pregnant wife was sitting next to van Hooydonck in the car, but she was uninjured. “Everything is going well with Alicia and the pregnancy and we are looking forward to the birth. This is really helping me now”added Van Hooydonck.