The riders set out this morning, Saturday, for the 227km sportive. But one Irishman among them collapsed and died on one of climbs.
It has emerged the Irish cyclist in his 50s who died in Belgium while riding the Tour of Flanders Sportive was riding it for the 14th time, according to the organisers.
The 56-year-old deceased amateur cyclist was riding the event with his son when he took ill, with an apparent heart attack, on the Oude Kwaremont climb on the route.
He was treated by medics from the Red Cross at the scene but efforts to save him failed and he was pronounced dead.
He became ill at the Kwaremont Square section of the ascent; the steepest section of the tough climb.
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.
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 organisers have released a statement outlining what it says happened.
“(During the) Tour of Flanders Cyclo this afternoon a participant become unwell during the ascent of the Oude Kwaremont,” the statement said.
“There were immediate aid workers from the Red Cross locally him were administering first aid and (who) tried to resuscitate him.
“The MOSQUITO (medical team) who came on the spot tried to resuscitate the victim, but the help was in vain.
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“The victim, a 56-year-old Irishman, rode alongside his son (who) immediately got help from a support team and (was) subsequently also brought directly to his deceased father in the hospital.
“The victim was no stranger to the 'pack'. After all, it was the fourteenth time he rode the Tour of the course.
“The organisation expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the victim.
"We wish also - like the son who expressly asked (us to) thank the Red Cross and the medical team who have offered help quickly and tried to save the victim.
“This tragic incident has put a damper on this anniversary edition.”
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 sells out months in advance with an estimated 5,600 riders coming from Holland and Great Britain combined, as well as smaller numbers from other countries including the host nation.
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.
When Irish citizens are killed or die abroad, the Department generally helps families with repatriating their remains and making various other arrangements.
This is normally done by Irish staff attached to embassies in the relevant countries.
There are a large number of Department of Foreign Affairs personnel based in Belgium; attached to the Irish embassy and the institutions linked to the European Parliament.
More to follow.
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