BELGIAN CYCLIST ANTOINE Demoitie has died after he was struck by a motorbike following a fall during the Gent-Wevelgem race.
The 25-year-old, a member of Belgium’s second-division team Wanty-Gobert, was involved in a fall along with other riders around 150 kilometres (90 miles) into the race on Sunday in Sainte-Marie-Cappel, northern France.
He was then hit by a motorbike while on the ground, before being transported to a hospital in Lille where he succumbed to his injuries.
“The rider died. An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances,” Frederic Evrard, spokesman for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional gendarmerie in France, said late on Sunday.
A witness quoted by Belgian daily SudPresse said four riders were involved in a fall in front of the motorbike, which “literally fell on top of” Demoitie.
Other witnesess said the Belgian rider was hit on the head.
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The cyclist’s team earlier said Demoitie was taken to hospital in “extremely serious condition”.
“His wife and his family are at his side,” the team wrote on Twitter.
The Gent-Wevelgem cobbled classic lived up to its gruelling reputation on Sunday, with riders battling strong winds as they tackled 10 climbs over a 243 kilometre route.
Former Belgian national champion Jens Debusschere was also hospitalised after he sustained a concussion following a heavy crash, his Lotto-Soudal team said.
The race, which includes two ascents of the hills of Kemmelberg, was won by Slovakia’s Peter Sagan.
Irish cyclists Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche paid tribute to Demoitie on Twitter:
Horrible tragic news to wake up to. The cycling family has lost a brother. #RIPAntoine
Belgian cyclist dies tragically after collision with motorbike during race
BELGIAN CYCLIST ANTOINE Demoitie has died after he was struck by a motorbike following a fall during the Gent-Wevelgem race.
The 25-year-old, a member of Belgium’s second-division team Wanty-Gobert, was involved in a fall along with other riders around 150 kilometres (90 miles) into the race on Sunday in Sainte-Marie-Cappel, northern France.
He was then hit by a motorbike while on the ground, before being transported to a hospital in Lille where he succumbed to his injuries.
“The rider died. An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances,” Frederic Evrard, spokesman for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional gendarmerie in France, said late on Sunday.
A witness quoted by Belgian daily SudPresse said four riders were involved in a fall in front of the motorbike, which “literally fell on top of” Demoitie.
Other witnesess said the Belgian rider was hit on the head.
The cyclist’s team earlier said Demoitie was taken to hospital in “extremely serious condition”.
“His wife and his family are at his side,” the team wrote on Twitter.
The Gent-Wevelgem cobbled classic lived up to its gruelling reputation on Sunday, with riders battling strong winds as they tackled 10 climbs over a 243 kilometre route.
Former Belgian national champion Jens Debusschere was also hospitalised after he sustained a concussion following a heavy crash, his Lotto-Soudal team said.
The race, which includes two ascents of the hills of Kemmelberg, was won by Slovakia’s Peter Sagan.
Irish cyclists Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche paid tribute to Demoitie on Twitter:
Martin also added:
© AFP 2016
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Antoine Demoitie Cycling Gent-Wevelgem RIP