Wout van Aert offers more than just support to his Jumbo-Visma teammate Van Hooydonck: "An example in the team"

Wout van Aert lost the battle for the European Time Trial Champion's jersey to Briton Joshua Tarling on Wednesday in Emmen. However, more importantly, it was announced during the race that teammate and friend Nathan Van Hooydonck will not be seen in the peloton next year due to a heart problem.

A defibrillator was implanted in Van Hooydonck, who was involved in a car accident last week due to his heart condition. The Belgian was diagnosed with an abnormality of the heart muscle, which could have been life-threatening. Consequently, the hard rider won't be part of the professional peloton next season. "If I hadn't received prompt and effective help, things could have taken a different turn. I'm doing okay now, but coming to terms with the end of my career is something I'll need to grapple with," he stated in a press release from Jumbo-Visma.

Van Aert responded to the news after the European Championship time trial. "Nathan is someone you can rely on completely as a rider. You could always count on him to give his all and perform his job excellently. Whenever we needed to be in a certain position, we were often there thanks to Nathan. He served as a role model on the team for how to fully commit to your craft. I can't say anything negative about him, really."

Van Aet: "We should be thankful Nathan still gets a chance in life"

"He always sacrificed himself for someone else, but he was content with that," the team leader, Van Aert, added. "He had that selflessness for the team, and it was truly admirable to witness how he celebrated victories for the team. Quitting wasn't an option; instead, we should be thankful that he received that warning and now has another chance at life. If a defibrillator is the means to grant him a good life, then we should express our gratitude to the doctors."