Serious crash rules out a gold medal favourite at World Championships - Head-on collision with car sends rider to hospital in Montreal

Cycling
Monday, 21 September 2026 at 11:13
Seff Van Kerckhove, Belgian cyclist.
Seff Van Kerckhove will miss the 2026 Montréal World Championships after a serious training crash. The 18-year-old Belgian, one of his nation’s key hopes in the junior ranks, collided with a car during a prep session for the Worlds and was taken to hospital.
Van Kerckhove arrived in Montreal with high expectations after winning bronze in the time trial at last year’s Kigali Worlds, his first season as a junior. He aimed to improve on that result and also start Thursday’s road race. However, Sunday’s crash has forced him to abandon his plans entirely.
Seff was training with his brother Matisse, Jasper Schoofs, and Vic De Smet. The four riders were doing time trial intervals on a straight stretch of road, sharpening up for the races they face this week in Canada.
During these efforts, the riders were spaced out, so none of his teammates saw the impact directly. According to Matisse, a vehicle turned across the road to enter a property.
Seff Van Kerckhove, Belgian cyclist.
Seff Van Kerckhove, cyclist from Belgium.

Head-on crash with car

“From what I understand, a car suddenly crossed the road, presumably to enter a private driveway. The driver didn’t see Seff coming and, as he was on the TT extensions at that moment, he couldn’t brake in time and hit the car head-on,” his brother explained.
His riding position during the effort likely limited his ability to react to the vehicle, resulting in a direct collision.
Jasper Schoofs was among the first to reach Van Kerckhove after the crash. He found his teammate lying on the ground and, seeing he could not get up on his own, the riders immediately alerted the national coach and the team doctor.

Van Kerckhove could not stand up after the impact

Concern was evident from the outset, and Van Kerckhove was transferred to a hospital for a full medical assessment.
“It didn’t look good from the start. Seff was taken to hospital, where various tests are being carried out to evaluate the severity of his injuries,” Matisse said.
For now, the Belgian Cycling Federation has only confirmed a heavy impact to the upper body. The full extent of his injuries has not yet been disclosed, although there is suspicion of multiple vertebral fractures.
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