Maurits Lammertink talks about lasting consequences of his career-ending accident: "I am very tired and have a constant headache that only gets worse over the day"

Maurits Lammertink had a great career before he was forced to retire from professional cycling in 2021. The Dutchman was hit by a scooter while he went to get an ice cream with his family. He suffered a fractured skull, a broken jaw and a broken collarbone. RTV Oost visited Lammertink to see how he is doing now.

In the years before his accident, the now 33-year-old Lammertink had a successful career, in which he participated in all the grand tours. However, in 2021 he was not selected for the Tour de France, which meant the Dutchman had more time to spend with his family. That's where disaster struck, and to this day it is difficult for Lammertink to talk about the accident. "I went to get ice cream. I took three boxes with me and put them in the backseat. I said: I have to pick up another one. And then the lights went out."

Since the accident, the former rider has recovered mainly physically. Cognitively, however, Lammertink is doing a lot less well. "It took a few months before I really understood what had happened to me. Doctors told me things, but I didn't understand anything. Then I started bluffing and nodded at everything."

The Dutchman's girlfriend, Marion, indicates that the former winner of the Tour of Luxembourg quickly becomes overstimulated. "A door slamming a little louder, children playing; it's all quickly becoming too much for him." Lammertink agrees with what his girlfriend says and adds: "I am very tired and have a constant headache. I wake up with it and during the day it gets worse. Finding the right words is also a problem and I am often grumpy and have a short fuse. Watching television is also no longer possible."

Finally, Marion indicates that what bothers her most is that her partner can show little involvement in what is happening in the family. "He was always very social and empathetic. When he crossed the finish line at a race, he immediately asked about the children. It hurts to notice that that dear partner and father is hardly there anymore." Finally, Lammertink indicates that he would like to work in the cycling world again, but he is also realistic.