The Irish road cycling community is in shock following the death of UCD Cycling Club rider Gabriele Glodenyte in a crash - with a driver in a car - while she was out training. Gabriele was training with her partner, UCD rider and former national track champion Sean Landers, when she was struck by the oncoming vehicle in north Co Dublin.
Tragically, Gabriele was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Saturday afternoon at Grallagh, Garristown. The crash occurred about 12.50pm according to a statement from Garda Headquarters in Dublin.
The statement added her remains were taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, Dublin, for a postmortem as part of the Garda investigation now underway into her death. Gardaí also sealed off the scene of the crash, which was examined by forensic collision investigators.
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"Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward," the Garda statement added. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda station on 01 802 0510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
Gabriele was aged 24 years and had cycled with UCD CC for several years. She had studied at Trinity College Dublin and had been working as a manager with Microsoft in recent years. While she was a relative newcomer to elite road cycling, she made a big impression last year and was one of the rising stars of the domestic scene.
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Last May she won the Brian O'Loughlin Memorial in Cong, Co Mayo, which was part of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series. She claimed the leader's jersey of the series and held it all the way to the conclusion of the season, being crowned overall winner after the final round in Banbridge.
While those National Road Series results were the highlight of her season, she also won the Newry Thee Day overall after claiming victory on two of the three stages. She also rode Rás na mBan twice and had traveled to Belgium last year for a number of races.
In the hours after the crash, and before Gabriele was named, Cycling Ireland issued a statement, saying: "Cycling Ireland are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of a female member in a road accident today.
"On behalf of all of our members, Cycling Ireland would like to extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, club-mates and all who knew her. Our thoughts are with them at this devastating time."
Everyone at stickybottle would like to extend our sympathies to Gabriele's family and to Sean, as well as all of her club mates at UCD CC and her many friends across the cycling community.
