Serious accident in the Koppenberg forest in Belgium! A cyclist was found in a ditch after falling while training
Article by David Istrate – Published on Wednesday, 04 March 2026, 19:25 / Updated on Wednesday, 04 March 2026 19:26
Leander Van Heutegem (22), a Belgian cyclist of the Flanders-Baloise team, suffered a serious accident during a training session and was found in a ditch by a forester. After being transported to the hospital, the athlete arrived home and sent a first message.
Cycling confirms its reputation as a dangerous sport where accidents are the order of the day after Leander Van Heutegem, a cyclist from the Flanders-Baloise team, suffered a fall in the Koppenberg Forest in Oudenaarde, Belgium.
Leander Van Heutegem, concussion, punctured lung and two broken thighs after training accident
He had an accident and was found by a forester in a ditch. Leander was taken to Ghent University Hospital where he was found to have suffered a serious concussion and a punctured lung and two broken thighs.
Meanwhile, he was allowed to go home and sent a message via social media: “I'm already home and feeling good! Thank you all for your messages“.
According to news.ro, Leander Van Hautegem should have participated in the following weeks in the Tour of Flanders and in Paris-Roubaix, but the serious accident suffered in Koppenberg could change his plans.
In 2025, the Belgian rider placed 18th in Ronde van Limburg and 23rd in Nokere Koerse. Van Hautegem also had some notable results in the juniors as well, which secured him a place in the Soudal-QuickStep reserve.
Starting this year, the 22-year-old athlete joined the Flanders-Baloise team, established in 1994. Two Flanders-Baloise riders have won the national title in Belgium: Niko Eeckhout (2006) and Preben Van Hecke (2015).
Currently, the manager of the Belgian team is Hans De Clercq (57 years old), a former cyclist with a 12-year career and two participations in the Tour de France and one participation in the Tour of Italy.
