"We hope Nathan is okay and that his condition improves" - Jumbo-Visma racing stage 16 of La Vuelta with Nathan Van Hooydonck in their thoughts

Everything has been going Jumbo-Visma's way so far at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, but the team was rocked pre-stage 16 by the news that one of their own, Nathan Van Hooydonck was in a critical condition in hospital after a serious car accident.

Whilst the complete facts of the situation are not yet known regarding Van Hooydonck, Jumbo-Visma sports director Grischa Niermann admitted the likes of Sepp Kuss, Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard have been affected by the news. “I don't know much more than what is in the media,” Niermann said before the start of the stage 16. “We know he had an accident and is in hospital. I think in a medically induced coma. I cannot confirm whether or not his life is in danger.”

Of course, for the Jumbo-Visma riders in Spain, a big day awaits with another summit finish and potential for general classification changes. “We know that we ourselves, especially the riders, are very affected," continues Niermann. "We hope Nathan is okay and that his condition improves. And that his wife is okay. We can only hope."

"The riders reacted quite strongly to this news. We are here in the Vuelta, we have the leader's jersey and we will be racing soon. That's not easy," he concludes. "I hope that we will soon be able to change our thoughts. But you never want to hear this kind of news.”