Tour de France star, 27, ‘in life-threatening condition’ after serious car crash alongside pregnant wife
A TOUR DE FRANCE star is reportedly in a life-threatening condition after causing a five-vehicle car crash.
Nathan van Hooydonck, 27, is understood to have been driving in Kalmthout, Belgium with his pregnant wife in the passenger seat when he fell unwell.
According to in his homeland, the Belgian accidentally accelerated across a busy junction at traffic lights at around 8.30am this morning.
And that triggered a horror smash involving five motors and forced the police to close the road.
The cyclist was resuscitated at the scene and transported to hospital where he is said to be in serious and critical danger.
Wife Alicia, who is due to give birth in around a month, was also taken for medical examinations but escaped unhurt.
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Police spokesperson Patrick de Smedt said: "A car with two occupants was waiting at the traffic lights at the intersection of Dorpsstraat and Kapelsesteenweg.
"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."
Local reports add that three other people suffered minor injuries in other cars, including a young child.
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Former national junior champion Van Hooydonck currently races for Team Jumbo-Visma.
He has completed two Vueltas a Espana and came 93rd in the 2023 Tour de France following his DNF last year.
His most recent event was last week's Tour of Britain as he helped team-mate Wout van Aert claim a second crown.
Van Hooydonck had also been selected to ride for Belgium in the upcoming European Road Championships in the Netherlands.
In December 2021, the cyclist star and partner Alicia tragically lost their newborn son Thiago on the day he was born.
Van Hooydonck wrote in a gut-wrenching post: "Your heart stopped beating before we could hold you in our arms.
"You have given us incredibly beautiful moments. Just the three of us were together. Mommy, Daddy and you, our little rascal.
"28 December 2021 will always be a special day to us, the day we became parents.
"We will never forget you because you will always be our son. Rest in peace dear friend, love Mom and Dad."
