PORTO-VECCHIO, France (AFP) - Belgian rider Daan Myngheer has been hospitalised after suffering a heart attack on the Criterium International race in Corsica, organisers confirmed Saturday.

The 22-year-old Roubaix ML rider pulled up in difficulty some 30km from the line in the first stage of the race at Porto-Vecchio.

Myngheer got into an ambulance but suffered a heart attack and had to receive immediate emergency treatment, before being transferred by helicopter to hospital in Ajaccio.

The Belgian turned professional last year with the Verandas Willems team before joining Roubaix Metropole Lille this season.