Belgian rider Bjorg Lambrecht, 22, dies after accident during Tour of Poland
Belgian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht has died following a crash on stage three of the Tour of Poland.
The 22-year-old Lotto-Soudal rider fell in the final 100 kilometres of Monday's stage from Chorzow to Zabrze and was taken to hospital.
The biggest tragedy possible that could happen to the family, friends and teammates of Bjorg has happened... Rest in peace Bjorg... ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9u9LZkp2Rt
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) August 5, 2019
His team later confirmed on Twitter: "The biggest tragedy possible that could happen to the family, friends and teammates of Bjorg has happened... Rest in peace Bjorg."
The Tour of Poland added: "There are no words to describe this tragedy. Bjorg Lambrecht passed away during following an accident on today's stage.
"Our thoughts are with His Family, Friends, Team and the whole cycling community. #tdp2019"
Such an incredibly sad day here in Poland and across the cycling world.To the family, friends and teammates of @bjorg_lambrecht, all our thoughts and sympathies are with you.Rest In Peace Bjorg. May your star continue to shine as brightly as it did in cycling. pic.twitter.com/DvvcIPIaDt
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) August 5, 2019
Lambrecht was competing in his second season on the WorldTour and had been regarded as one of his nation's most promising young talents.
Incident on 'totally flat' road
Initial reports say the young climber crashed into a concrete culvert approximately halfway through the stage in southern Poland. No other rider was reportedly involved in the incident on the flat, 150km circular course.
Race doctor Ryszard Wisniewski was quoted on Cycling News as saying, "We don't know why he fell, it was on a totally flat road. We tried to give a heart massage just afterwards, then we called for a helicopter but his condition was so serious it wasn't able to transport him.
"So we did more reanimation there where he was and then took him to the hospital by ambulance. More reanimation was done on the way to the hospital, but he died during the operation there in the hospital."