Victim last week of a road accident, in the company of his wife, following discomfort while he was behind the wheel, Belgian Nathan Van Hooydonck left Antwerp hospital. But if the news was reassuring regarding his immediate state of health, his sporting future suffered a setback. Aged 27, the Jumbo Visma rider had to end his career after a cardiac arrhythmia was detected and a pacemaker was placed on him.
A perspective taken philosophically by the Belgian who declared himself “incredibly lucky.” Things could have gone differently if I hadn’t been taken care of so quickly. I’m ultimately fine but I have to live with the idea that my career is over. Jonas Vingegaard’s teammate also praised everyone who helped him, especially “the medical staff and all the fans who sent me messages.”
