Spectator dies after Belgian feedzone crash
A gust of wind causes a young rider to swerve into the path of a spectator in Belgian race. The woman died from her injuries
A 54-year-old woman was killed in a racing feedzone in Belgium on Sunday after a rider lost control of his bike in the wind.
The woman, who was the wife of former Tour de France stage winner Ludwig Wijnants, was struck by 18-year-old Jordi Van Dingenen at the Brustem-Sint-Truiden race.
Van Dingenen was riding the race, which is for elite riders without a contract, for the Vastgoedservice - Golden Palace team, whose team leader, Roger Loysch, witnessed the incident.
“I stood on the side, along with Ludwig Wynants and his wife,” Loysch told Sporza. “At the front of the peloton Jordi wanted to give me his jacket. Then suddenly there was a very fierce gust of wind, and he lost control.”
“Van Dingenen rode right [into her] and the blow was quite fierce. She just wanted to provide her son Arne with a water bottle.”
Sporza reports that Ms Wijnants was taken to hospital and operated on immediately but later died of her injuries. Van Dingenen suffered a shoulder injury and concussion.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Enough already with the F1-inspired pit stops in gravel races: a call for self-sufficiency
The spirit of adventure, resourcefulness and inclusivity is diluted to the point where we risk losing sight of the qualities that made the discipline so unique.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel extends with Alpecin-Deceuninck until the end of 2028
Dutchman inks new five-year deal after team's second triumph at Milan-San Remo last weekend with Jasper Philipsen
By Tom Thewlis Published