Cycling-Belgian Van Hooydonck in hospital but 'not critical' say Jumbo-Visma

(Recasts with latest health update) Sept 12 (Reuters) - Belgian rider Nathan van Hooydonck was not hurt during a car crash but remained in hospital for checks after he became ill at the wheel, his Jumbo-Visma team said on Tuesday.

(Recasts with latest health update) Sept 12 (Reuters) -

Belgian rider Nathan van Hooydonck was not hurt during a car crash but remained in hospital for checks after he became ill at the wheel, his Jumbo-Visma team said on Tuesday. Earlier reports suggested the 27-year-old had been severely injured during the incident near Antwerp.

"Nathan Van Hooydonck is awake and doesn't suffer injuries because of the traffic accident earlier today," a statement read. "His health situation is not critical. "Further medical examinations have to determine why Nathan became unwell, while driving his car. We want to thank everyone for the messages and the medical staff in the hospital for taking such good care of Nathan and his family."

According to newspaper reports Van Hooydonck was waiting at a junction in the town of Kalhmthout, with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat when he became unwell and inadvertently accelerated into traffic. "A car with two occupants was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Dorpsstraat and Kapelsesteenweg," Patrick De Smedt, spokesperson for the border police zone, was quoted as saying by 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."

Later on Tuesday Jonas Vingegaard, Van Hooydonck's team mate at Jumbo-Visma, won the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana, looking emotional as he crossed the line. But Attila Valter, also of Jumbo-Visma, offered better news after the stage.

"We just heard on the team radio that Nathan is awake and is okay, that's what we were hoping for," the Hungarian said. "I hope he is watching that this victory is for him." 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 Vingegaard at this year's Tour de France and last week rode in the Tour of Britain and was set to represent Belgium at the upcoming European road championships.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)