Nick Craig and son Charlie; winning the National Trophy Series for over 40s and U16s on the same day in Shrewsbury just weeks ago (Photo with many thanks to Andy Whitehouse)
Tributes have been paid to a young up-and-coming rider and member of a well known British cycling family who has died suddenly.
Charlie Craig, who was 2nd in the U16 National Cyclocross Championships in Britain a couple of weeks ago, was the son of well-known former pro Nick Craig.
The family has posted a message online saying son Charlie had gone to sleep and never woken up. It appears from the message that his death was discovered yesterday morning.
The Craig family will be well known to many in Irish cycling, with Nick Craig still riding the off-road scene in Britain and winning national titles at the aged of 47-years.
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He claimed the British over 40s cyclocross title on the same day son Charlie had taken silver in the U16 race two weeks ago.
Nick and Charlie had also led British Cycling's National Trophy Series overall at the same events of late.
Last month at the final round of the 2016 series, Charlie had won his own U16 race in Shrewsbury and wrapped up first 'Trophy Series' overall. And Nick had done the same in the over 40s, before riding the elite race and finishing 4th.
The fact they raced so closely together and had enjoyed success at the top of British cyclocross as recently as two weeks ago adds to the tragedy of Charlie's passing.
And the elder of the brothers, Tom Craig, won the national junior title twice and has represented Great Britain up to World Championships level.
In 2013 Nick won the over 40s British cyclocross title on the same day Tom won the U16 event; the first riders to complete the unique father-son double.
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The brothers followed in the footsteps of their very successful father; a legend of off-road racing who is an Olympian and multi national champion in cyclocross and MTB.
He competed in the World MTB Championships 17 times and is a hugely popular figure on the British and international off-road scenes.
When a pro rider, Nick competed in the colours of Raleigh-Saab, Peugeot-Look, Diamond Back Racing and Science in Sport.
British Cycling said it was "deeply saddened" by the death of 15-year-old Charlie adding he was a rider at "apprentice level on the Great Britain cycling team’s rider route".
British Cycling programmes director Andy Harrison said: "Charlie was a promising young rider who had his whole life ahead of him.
"Everyone involved with the team is devastated by this news and, naturally, all of our thoughts are with Charlie’s family."
Well-known Irish rider, coach and mentor Martin O’Loughlin got to know Nick in his role working for Cycling Ireland over the years.
“Nick is one of the most likeable guys I've ever come across in cycling," O'Loughlin said, extending his sympathies to the Craigs on Charlie's sad passing.
“I went to a lot of MTB races leading up to the Athens Olympics, so met him a lot. An absolute gent.”
Charlie had been riding for Scott Racing in the UK, with his father, and another off-road team backed by the same sponsor in Ireland, Scott-Eurocycles, extended their sympathies to the family.
From all at stickybottle, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Nick, Sarah, Tom and all of their family and Charlie's friends in the cycling community.
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