Belgian teenager Seff Van Kerkhove, one of the favourites for the junior men’s time trial at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, is out of both the time trial and road race after being hit by a car while training in Canada.
The 18-year-old was on a team training ride on Sunday 20 September 2026. His brother Matisse told Het Laatste Nieuws that a car crossed the road, apparently to enter a driveway, and Seff, riding his time trial bike in an aero position, could not brake in time. His teammates were spaced out while doing intervals, so none saw the impact, but Jasper Schoofs was among the first to reach him. Van Kerkhove could not stand unaided and was taken to hospital.
Belgian Cycling said the crash had a strong impact on his upper body, with further examinations due Monday. One outlet has reported vertebral fractures, but the federation has not confirmed the extent of his injuries. He will miss the time trial on Tuesday and the road race on Thursday. Belgium will not replace him, leaving Vic De Smet as its only representative in the time trial.
Van Kerkhove won bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, finishing nine seconds behind Dutch winner Michiel Mouris, who won in 00:29:07. He was also 12th in the road race there.
This season, he has won repeatedly for the Decathlon CMA CGM junior team and took the overall title at the Giro della Lunigiana.
He did so despite a late start to his season after being hit by a car while training in Belgium on Monday 29 December 2025, when he fractured four vertebrae.
Details about the driver have not been reported.
Photo Credit: file
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