A shocking and emotional weekend for the family of former Belgian national cycling coach Sven Vanthourenhout, as his 17-year-old son Stan suffered a serious medical emergency during a cycling race. The young rider, active with Molenspurters Meulebeke, had to abandon the race abruptly after becoming unwell, sparking major concern in the cycling world.
What should have been a festive day — Stan’s 17th birthday — quickly turned into one of fear and uncertainty. During the race in Wielsbeke on Saturday, Stan suddenly felt ill and was forced to stop.
As a precaution, he and his family rushed to the emergency room. There, doctors decided to admit him for further monitoring and tests. The results were alarming enough to require an immediate heart procedure.
Stan himself shared the news on Instagram to put a stop to wild rumors. “To silence the wildest rumors, I’d like to share the following with you. During the race in Wielsbeke last Saturday, I suddenly felt unwell,” he wrote. “To be safe, we drove to the ER. There, they decided to hospitalize me for further monitoring and tests. In the end, a procedure was already carried out.”
The exact nature of the heart issue and the procedure hasn’t been disclosed, but Stan’s post suggests the situation was serious. He sincerely thanked the medical team at AZ Sint-Jan for their quick and professional response.
“I would like to explicitly thank the cardiology team at AZ Sint-Jan,” he posted. “They took excellent care of me and made critical decisions that may have made all the difference. I’m still trying to process everything.”
Stan is currently recovering, surrounded by his family. However, there are still questions about his future in competitive cycling. “What the future holds is currently unclear,” he admitted. “Right now, the focus is on recovery and becoming stronger.”
The cycling community has shown overwhelming support for the Vanthourenhout family. Fellow riders, coaches, and fans have sent encouraging messages. Many are praising Stan for his courage and transparency in sharing his experience.
This incident is a strong reminder of how important medical screenings are, even for young and seemingly healthy athletes. Cardiac issues in youth sports remain a growing concern, and Stan’s experience highlights the vital role of preventative care.
For now, all attention is on Stan’s recovery. Though the road ahead is uncertain, he has already shown great strength. The entire Belgian sports world hopes for a full recovery — and possibly, a return to the sport he loves.