Overview
- The 48-year-old says he narrowly survived multiple episodes and was taken to emergency departments at least ten times with blood-alcohol levels above 4.5‰.
- At his worst, he reports consuming up to three bottles of vodka per day.
- He recounts leaving a hospital after doctors warned he could die, then buying more alcohol on the way home.
- Friends and family confronted him, prompting renewed treatment efforts and his current abstinence.
- His account was published by Het Laatste Nieuws and relayed by other outlets; he previously won two Belgian time-trial titles and finished second at the Tour of Flanders three times.