Cycling - Belgian rider in 'life-threatening' condition after cardiac arrest

ROUBAIX (Reuters) - Belgian rider Michael Goolaerts is in a "life-threatening condition after suffering a cardiac arrest" during the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic, race organisers said in a statement on Sunday.

TV footage showed Goolaerts, 23, receiving CPR treatment from medics by the side of the road after crashing.

Shortly after the 257-km race ended, Paris-Roubaix director Christian Prudhomme told Reuters that Goolaerts had to undergo a scan at the Lille hospital.

"His situation is still very worrying," Prudhomme, who is also the Tour de France director, added.

His team, Veranda’s Willems-Crelan, said in a statement that Goolaerts had been taken to hospital having been involved in a crash.

They later appealed for people to refrain from speculation as they wait for an update on his situation.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends now," the team said.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)