Pro rider dies after hit by race motorbike at Gent-Wevelgem

Antoine Demoitié, who has died from injuries he sustained after crashing at Gent Wevelgem and being hit by a race motorbike while on the ground (Photo: Sirotti)

Belgian pro rider Antoine Demoitié has died after a crash at the Gent-Wevelgem classic on Sunday.

The 25-year-old riding for Wanty-Groupe Gobert crashed in the Belgian classic as it briefly went into French territory.

After his initial fall, with a number of other riders, he was struck by a race moto.

There were fears for Demoitié’s life from the moment he crashed, with a statement from his team indicating that he had been gravely injured and that his wife and other family members were at his bed side in hospital.

He was taken to hospital in nearby Ypres but given the severity of his injuries he was immediately transferred to Lille University Hospital.

However, late last night it was sadly confirmed by both his team and the police investigating the collision that the promising young pro rider had died.

He had crashed with four others at Sainte-Marie-Cappel with about 115km remaining in the 234km event.

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Early indications are that when he fell and was on the ground he was struck by the motorbike though a more complete picture of how he was fatally injured should emerge quickly.

This morning, Monday, his team issued a statement saying they were all devastated at his death.

"Antoine Demoitié passed away last night after a terrible accident in Gent-Wevelgem,” the statement said.

“The entire team is in disbelief, shock, angry and sad because of the loss of Antoine. Our thoughts go out to his wife, family and friends.”

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional gendarmerie in France issued a statement confirming Demoitié had died and that it was investigating.

“The rider died. An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances,” spokesman Frederic Evrard told Agence France Presse.

His biggest win came at the one-day Tour du Finistère in France 2014.

This season he had started the year well with 2^nd on the first stage of Etoile des Bessèges and 2^nd again a fortnight ago at Dorpenomloop Rucphen.