Great sadness: cycling talent didn't make it

Belgian cycling talent Tijl De Decker has died as a result of a serious training accident.

August 25, 2023

From: dpa

“Despite all the efforts of the hospital staff, Tijl did not survive the operation and lost his fight this morning,” his team Lotto-Dstny said on its website on Friday. The 22-year-old collided with a car on Wednesday and, according to media reports, had lost a lot of blood. After an emergency operation in Lier, De Decker was transferred to the nearby university hospital in his hometown of Antwerp.

“We are shocked by the loss of our driver,” said Lotto boss Stéphane Heulot. “We will always remember him as a talented young rider and a warm and friendly person off the bike,” he added.

De Decker, who only joined the Lotto team this year, was considered a great classic and sprint talent. He took fourth place at the junior version of Frankfurt-Eschborn this year and won the U23 edition of Paris-Roubaix a week later. Last Sunday he also took fourth place at the Belgian championships in the U23 category.