Nathan Van Hooydonck allowed to ride his bike again: "I was passed by a cycling tourist during training for the first time in my career"

An image that we have not seen since his forced retirement as a professional cyclist: Nathan Van Hooydonck on a racing bike. The Belgian posted a photo on Instagram today while riding over a cobblestone strip in Zandvliet.

"I was not allowed to exercise for a month after my accident, but the cardiologist gave me the green light to cycle very quietly," Van Hooydonck said earlier in an interview with HLN and VTM Nieuws in the run-up to the Crystal Bicycle Gala. where he won the Crystal Sweat Drop.

"It was enjoyable, even though it was confrontational that I was passed by a cycling tourist during training for the first time in my career, but it didn't spoil the fun. Cycling was my first love and will always remain a passion. Secretly there are already plans in my head. Maybe one day I can ride the Cape Epic mountain bike tour in South Africa."

Van Hooydonck was forced to end his career about a month and a half ago after he suffered a cardiac arrest behind the steering wheel of his car. He was in critical condition and was briefly in an artificial coma, but woke up and is now on the mend. Together with wife Alicia Cara, he also welcomed son Alessio shortly after the accident.