The sporty must-see after the Strade Bianche Saturday afternoon? That is “Vansteelant”, the unique documentary about the brothers Benny and Joerie Vansteelant from Torhout. World top in duathlon, but one brother – Benny – died as a multiple world champion at the age of just 30 as a result of a collision during training.
In Vansteelant, 15 years later, Joerie looks back for the first time on the death of his brother, how his family dealt with the loss and how it determined his own life story. The result is a modest portrait, directed by Ruben Van Gucht, with the voice of Koen De Bouw and music by Jef Neve.
A special life story
Benny Vansteelant is 30 years old when he dies in a hospital in Roeselare from the consequences of a pulmonary embolism. A few days earlier, on a foggy Saturday morning, he was hit by a car during training, which was taking the right of way that was not allowed to be taken.
Vansteelant is the cannibal of the duathlon. He dominates his sport like no other and at that time already has 8 world titles and 5 European titles on his record.
A few months before his death, Benny already became European champion and a month after the fatal accident he would go for a new world title in the US. Who would have kept him from winning? Certainly not a competitor. A car unfortunately.
Fatal accident
Saturday morning, September 8, 2007, just past nine o’clock. The Noordabeelstraat in Gits. A car suddenly comes out of a street. Vansteelant is surprised, has no way out. He is caught by the car and falls heavily. Although it is a serious blow, the situation is not alarming at first.
Benny will be operated on the same day, and according to the doctors, he will make a full recovery. A few days later, on Thursday, he even leaves the intensive care unit. But Friday morning everything changes. A cardiac arrest is diagnosed. After half an hour, the CPR attempt is stopped because of the irreversible condition.
Ultimate Tribute
Less than a month later, his younger brother Joerie provides an ultimate tribute. He bundles all the pain and sorrow and becomes world champion for the first time in Richmond in the US in the discipline where his brother ruled for years.
Joerie Vansteelant will eventually become world champion 5 years in a row.
Vansteelant
The central figure in the documentary is Joerie Vansteelant, Benny’s younger brother. Joerie has experienced Benny’s entire career up close, was not only a brother or training mate, but also a competitor.
Through Joerie’s eyes we see what caused Benny’s death, which emotions have been reviewed in the following years, which thoughts have lingered, which words have remained unspoken.
The documentary is directed by Ruben Van Gucht, following the Night of Flanders, the documentary that was broadcast last year about Jean-Paul Praet’s world record in the 100 kilometers. The story of the two brothers is conveyed with emotion by the voice of Koen De Bouw and the music of Jef Neve.
Vansteelant: Saturday, March 5 at 4.50 pm on One.
