Lotto Dstny Development Team

Alec Segaert

Gianluca Pollefliet

Tijl De Decker

Christopher Lawless

Robin Orins

Ramses Debruyne

Lorenz Van de Wynkele

Joshua Giddings

Jelle Harteel

Jago Willems

Viktor Verschaeve

Milan Paulus

Jelle Declerck

Cedric Van Raemdonck

Wout Geerinckx

Cameron Rogers

Axel De Lie

Branko Huys

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Tijl De Decker dies after training crash

Tijl De Decker rode for the Lotto Dstny development team

 development rider Tijl De Decker has died following a crash involving a vehicle during a training ride on Wednesday, his team has confirmed. The Belgian was 22.

News of the crash, which reportedly involved De Decker colliding with the back of a car, 

. De Decker had been transported to hospital in Antwerp, and on Thursday evening the team confirmed that he was “severely injured” and in an induced coma.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tijl De Decker, following a training accident past Wednesday,” a 

 read.

“The team is heartbroken by this news and sends all of its love and thoughts to Tijl’s family and loved ones in this incredibly difficult time.”

The team also provided more detail on the circumstances of the incident, without mentioning the nature of the injuries De Decker sustained.

“Tijl crashed hard into the backside of a car and was brought to the hospital in Lier where he immediately underwent surgery. Later that evening he was transported to the Antwerp University Hospital.

"Despite the best efforts of the staff at the hospital, Tijl couldn’t make it through and this morning he lost his battle."

reported on Thursday that a spokeswoman for the local police had confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances of the incident was ongoing.

De Decker signed for Lotto Dstny’s development team at the start of 2023 after a promising showing with club team ACROG-Tormans. In 2023, he duly delivered on that promise by winning 

, the under-23 version of the fabled Monument and one of the most important races on the U23 circuit.

He also won a stage of the Tour de Taiwan in March, as well as picking up a handful of top fives in one-day races. His last race was the Belgian national championships U23 road race on Sunday, where he finished fourth.

Alongside racing, De Decker was studying bio-engineering at the University of Antwerp.

“We are devastated by the loss of our cyclist”, said Lotto Dstny CEO Stéphane Heulot. “Tijl showed big progression this year and we believed in his growth margin. Stepping up to the pro team was a logical choice. Unfortunately he will never turn pro and we will always remember him as a talented young rider and a warm and friendly person off the bike. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”

 would like to extend their deepest condolences to Tijl De Decker's family, friends, and Lotto Dstny teammates.

Lotto Dstny’s Tijl De Decker hospitalised after training crash

Tijl De Decker is a promising one-day racer and proved his talent in winning the U23 Paris-Roubaix earlier this season

Image credit: Lotto Dstny/Brecht Steenhouwer

22-year-old Tijl De Decker is said to be in a coma after a training crash

 has been hospitalised in Antwerp after suffering a hard crash in training involving a vehicle on Wednesday. 

 and has racked up several promising results thus far in 2023, but the Belgian team confirmed the news of his crash on Wednesday evening.

“The rider crashed hard into the backside of a car and was brought to the hospital in Lier where he underwent surgery,” revealed a 

“Later today he was transported to the UZA (Antwerp University Hospital). More news about the consequences of the accident will follow after Tijl will undergo further examinations over there.”

 reports that having spoken to those close to the rider, De Decker is currently in a coma after having suffered serious injuries, news that was confirmed on Thursday evening by the team. 

"We will not go into details about his injuries, but we can confirm he is currently in an induced coma," stated Lotto Dstny. "Tijl is getting the best care possible at the Antwerp University Hospital. The team will provide further updates once there’s more news."

The incident with a passenger car was expanded upon by Magalie Derboven, a spokesperson for the Lier police department.

“The accident occurred on public roads, outside the centre. In doing so, the cyclist was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. It remains to be seen how his condition evolves. A traffic expert from the prosecutor's office has come to the scene, an investigation into the exact circumstances is ongoing.”

De Decker is slated to move up to Lotto Dstny’s 

 for 2024 and 2025, having impressed team management during his first season with the Development Team this year. The 22-year-old made his level clear in his very first race in Lotto Dstny colours at Brussel-Opwijk in February, claiming third place, before winning stage 3 of the Tour de Taiwan just a month later.

Although amongst 23 other riders who were all disqualified from the 

 after holding onto team cars as they ascended the Passo dello Stelvio, De Decker’s 2023 season had otherwise proved a successful one up until his crash.

The biggest win of his fledgling career came at 

 in May, where he attacked on the Camphin-en-Pévèle and rode to victory in the Roubaix Velodrome after more than 20km alone. With an iconic cobblestone to his palmarès, De Decker continued to impress in recent months, finishing 4th at the U23 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and helping his team to win the opening team time trial at the 

His most recent race came at the U23 Belgian national championships, in which he came fourth in the final sprint on Sunday afternoon.

Following the crash and subsequent speculation, Lotto Dstny have asked for privacy for Tijl, his family, friends, and teammates, whilst promising updates as soon as they can deliver them. 

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Name	Age	UCI Career Wins	UCI Points
Alec Segaert	21	7	473
Gianluca Pollefliet	22	1	109
Tijl De Decker	22	2	108
Christopher Lawless	28	6	85
Robin Orins	22	1	70

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Tijl De Decker dies after training crash

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