Nathan Van Hooydonck meets up with the three police officers who gave him life saving resuscitation

Over a month ago now, the cycling world was terrified to learn of Jumbo-Visma's Nathan van Hooydonck being involved in a car accident that needed him to be resuscitated at the scene. Although he struggles to remember any of the events of the day, the Belgian recently met up with the heroes who helped save his life.

"It's very elusive. The last thing I know is that my wife Alicia and I went to a restaurant in Roosendaal the night before," Het Nieuwsblad quotes the 28-year-old, having helped reunite van Hooydonck with three police officers who were called to the scene of the car crash and performed life-saving action to the former Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne runner-up.

It later transpired that Van Hooydonck suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel. He has since been fitted with an ICD which sadly means his professional career is over. In the grand scheme of things however, it could have been a lot worse. "If I could remember things, it might be easier to accept it," says Van Hooydonck. "I already went back to the scene of the accident with Alicia, but it didn't bother me. I don't know anything about it anymore. Talking to you has made me realize it a little better. I've been really lucky. This conversation is a reality check."

“I was so lucky to have the right people in the right place, and Alicia was very lucky too. People often forget that. She also experienced the accident. She is ten times stronger than me. The doctors told her they didn't think I would make it. That must have been very intense," he continues. "Sometimes I forget it's there (the ICD). But when my son lies on my chest, I can feel the wire. Then I have to move it a little because otherwise, it will hurt a bit. Now, it is my life insurance."