Tour de France cyclist, 27, ‘fighting for his life after slumping at the wheel beside his pregnant wife and crashing into five cars’ in Belgium

Tour de France cyclist Nathan van Hooydonck is reportedly fighting for his life after a six-vehicle crash, with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat next to him. 

The Jumbo Visma team member was driving in Kalmthout, Belgium, when he began to feel unwell and lost control of the car, accelerating into traffic.  

Van Hooydonck, 27, reportedly had to be resuscitated on the scene and was taken to hospital in a critical condition, according to Het Laatse Nieuws. 

His wife, who is eight-months pregnant, was also taken to hospital for checks, though she did not suffer serious injuries. 

A statement from Jumbo Visma reads: ‘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. 

‘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.’

The 27-year-old lost control of his car after falling unwell at the wheel while driving in Belgium

It is reported that Van Hooydonck was waiting at a set of lights by an intersection when he suddenly set off, crossing the road and hitting five other cars that were stationary at the lights opposite. 

Another driver and a child passenger are said to have sustained blows from the incident.  

Jumbo-Visma sporting director Grischa Niermann said: ‘We don’t know more than all that’s in the media. Apparently he had an accident and had to go to hospital. He’s there now in, I think, an induced coma.

‘It’s very, very harsh news for us, for everybody, especially for the riders. And of course, our thoughts are with him, and also with his girlfriend, and we all hope and wish for the best.

‘Right now, our thoughts are somewhere else [than the Vuelta a España], still we have a leader’s jersey in La Vuelta and we will go on fighting. I hope the boys can change their mindset when on the bike but it’s a very difficult morning for us.’

Van Hooydonck, who turned pro with BMC in 2017, has been with Dutch outfit Jumbo-Visma since 2021.

He was part of the team supporting winner Jonas Vingegaard at this year’s Tour de France, last week rode in the Tour of Britain, and was set to represent Belgium at the upcoming European Road Championships.