The cycling world is in shock and holding its breath.
He is again the victim of a new tragedy.
Amy Pieters, one of the queens of the track, has been plunged into a coma.
Three-time reigning American world champion with her compatriot Kirsten Wild, the Dutchwoman suffered a terrible accident during an innocuous outing with the national team on Thursday afternoon near Calpe in Spain.
The circumstances are not yet established, but after the fall the 30-year-old lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital in Alicante.
She was immediately taken care of by doctors and underwent surgery for serious head injuries.
She has since been placed in an artificial coma.
Update situation Amy Pieters
Yesterday Amy Pieters was operated on her head.
During this operation, the doctors took away the pressure in her head that was created by the fall.
Amy will be kept asleep the coming days.
More info: https: //t.co/eNW5rxbPfx pic.twitter.com/QQqEhtAFUH
- Team SD Worx (@teamsdworx) December 24, 2021
This Friday morning, the Dutch team Team SD Worx gave news of its rider via a press release.
“Amy Pieters underwent head surgery yesterday (Thursday) at Alicante hospital. During this operation, the doctors removed the pressure in his head that had been caused by the fall. Amy Pieters will remain asleep for the next few days. When the doctors wake her up in a few days, it will be possible to assess the possible damage. His family went to the hospital. At this time, no further announcement can be made regarding the accident, and we ask everyone to respect the privacy of those involved. Of course, everyone in Team SD Worx is currently thinking of Amy and her family. "
The European road champion in 2019 and winner of the Women's Grand Prix de Plouay in 2018 comes from a family of cyclists.
His father, Peter, is a former professional - winner in particular of the Paris-Tours classic in 1988 - who became the national trainer of the Belgian track team.