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Young Belgian pro cyclist Leander Van Hautegem was the subject of a miracle rescue on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old was discovered in a ditch by a passing forest ranger after he crashed heavily in training and suffered “severe concussion,” a collapsed lung, and broken ribs.
According to local media outlets, the Flanders-Baloise racer was training in the Koppenberg forest on his gravel bike when things went wrong.
Sporza reports that Van Hautegem crashed and was left undiscovered “for a long time” before a ranger discovered the rogue rider battered and busted in a ditch.
He was evacuated from the scene by a fire brigade and taken to hospital in nearby Gent, where he stayed overnight for observation.
Flanders-Baloise confirmed the news Tuesday afternoon and revealed the extent of Van Hautegem’s injuries.
“After a heavy fall in training, Leander Van Hautegem was taken to UZ Gent. The unfortunate Kluisbergen resident suffered a severe concussion, a collapsed lung, and two cracked ribs. Get well soon, Leander!”
It was a lucky end to a very unlucky ride for Van Hautegem, who had finished Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne in the last group on the road only two days earlier.
Van Hautegem later wrote “I’m OK” on his Instagram stories.
Surprisingly enough, he’s not yet uploaded his disastrous ride to Strava.
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