Teen Cyclist Crashes Through Car Window During Race in Belgium
A 16-year-old Belgian junior cyclist, Samuel D’Evola, crashed through the rear window of a passenger car at 70 to 80 kilometers per hour during a race in Jesseren-Borgloon on Sunday afternoon, sustaining serious injuries. The teenager was racing in the penultimate lap when an inattentive motorist drove onto the circuit in the hamlet of Zammelen, according to VRT NWS.
The Incident
The accident occurred during the junior cycling race organized by Wielerclub ‘Het Vliegend Wiel Jesseren’ in the Limburg province of Flanders. Pieter Van Schelvergem, a national cycling official who witnessed the crash, described the moment the car appeared on the course.
“The incident happened in the penultimate lap. Rider Samuel D’Evola was riding at the front with another rider when suddenly that car appeared in Zammelen in front of them,” Van Schelvergem told VRT NWS.
The car had entered the race circuit via a one-way street. A signaler warned the female driver to move away, but she did not vacate the course in time before the leading riders arrived at high speed on a descent.
“In a one-way street, the car had entered the circuit but couldn’t get away in time. The riders were descending at 70 to 80 kilometers per hour. D’Evola couldn’t avoid the vehicle and flew through the rear window of the car,” Van Schelvergem added.
Injuries and Medical Response
D’Evola suffered glass fragments to his face and injuries to his shoulder and upper leg. He was initially unconscious but regained consciousness shortly after the crash. The race’s accompanying ambulance provided immediate first aid at the scene before transporting him to hospital.
Remarkably, the teenager was discharged from hospital later that day and is now recovering at home. Van Schelvergem noted the rider was fortunate given the circumstances.
“If he had hit the bodywork of the car, it could have been much worse,” he said. “This will undoubtedly also have a mental impact on him.”
Race Disrupted
The race ambulance remained with the injured rider, leaving the competition without medical support. Organizers were forced to neutralize and halt the race as a result. The decision, while necessary, ended the event prematurely for all participating junior cyclists.
Course Redesign Planned
The race was part of a series of three junior races scheduled for June 7, July 12, and August 9, 2026, for which the municipality of Tongeren-Borgloon had granted a permit on May 29. The permit specified one-way traffic and parking restrictions on race days from 15:00 to 18:00, with police escort authorized.
In response to the accident, race organizers have announced plans to redesign the circuit for the remaining two events. “Soon there will be three races taking place on that street. We are therefore going to redesign the course,” a race organizer confirmed.
The specific changes to the circuit — which included Broekstraat, Bissemstraat, Zammelenstraat, Amandusberglaan, Martinusstraat, Hoogstraat, Weg Gors-Opleeuw, Jesserenstraat, and Broekstraat — have not yet been detailed.
Safety Concerns on Open Roads
The incident highlights the inherent risks of cycling races on open roads, where interactions with non-participant vehicles remain a persistent danger. In Belgium, race organizers typically rely on signalers and temporary traffic measures rather than full road closures, leaving potential points of entry for unwitting motorists.
The crash echoes other cases where cyclists have collided with vehicles on race courses. The incident is likely to reignite debate in European amateur cycling circles about safety measures and course security protocols.
What’s Next
Samuel D’Evola now faces a period of physical recovery from his lacerations and soft tissue injuries, as well as potential psychological trauma from the traumatic event. The cycling community in Limburg will be watching closely as organizers implement safety improvements for the upcoming races on July 12 and August 9.
Several questions remain unanswered, including whether any charges have been filed against the motorist who entered the course, what specific circuit changes will be made, and the full extent of D’Evola’s expected recovery timeline. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by cyclists — even in organized, officially permitted competitions — when road-sharing arrangements fail.