An Irish cyclist has collapsed and died on the Oude Kwaremont climb at the Tour of Flanders sportive today, Saturday.
An Irish cyclist in his 50s has died in Belgium while riding the Tour of Flanders Sportive.
Belgian media reported the man’s death, saying he apparently fell ill at the Oude Kwaremont climb on the route.
Early indications are that he may have had a heart attack and that he was with at least one family member at the time, who was also riding the event.
The Irish cyclist was treated by medics from the Red Cross at the scene but efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead.
The road was closed for a period as a result of the Irishman taking ill and requiring medical treatment and a local diversion was then put in place.
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Many cyclists held up in the congestion that ensued were not aware of what had happened and took to social media to highlight the build-up of riders and the long delay.
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The event celebrated its 25th anniversary today and the organisers said the Irishman's sad passing was the first fatality ever recorded in the sportive's history.
The sportive takes place the day before the Tour of Flanders professional race and takes in the same roads, with about 16,000 competitors from all over the world taking part.
It has grown very popular with Irish amateurs in recent years and the man who died today, Saturday, after falling ill at the event had travelled from Ireland to take part.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it is providing assistance to the man’s family back in Ireland.
Local news website Nieuwsblad quotes the sportive's organisers saying the deceased was riding the event with his son.
“The victim rode the Tour in support of his son (who) immediately got help from a support team and was subsequently brought directly to his father in the hospital.
"This tragic incident has put a damper on this anniversary edition of the Tour.”
More to follow.
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