A 37-year-old professional mountain biker passed away in his sleep two days after winning an elite cycling championship in Scotland.
Cyclist Rab Wardell from Glasgow, Scotland died Tuesday, August 23.
Wardell won the elite men’s title at the Scottish MTB XC Championships in Dumfries and Galloway during the weekend.
Mountain biker Rab Wardell has died in his sleep aged 37 – two days after winning the Scottish championship.
He was on The Nine just last night speaking about his win.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family. https://t.co/WicdBkGJ8d pic.twitter.com/eaH5NJpae9
— The Nine (@BBCScotNine) August 23, 2022
What would cause an elite mountain biker such as Rab Wardell, an athlete in top physical condition, to pass away suddenly in his sleep two days after winning a title at the Scottish MTB XC?
— Dr. James E. Olsson (@DrJamesOlsson) August 23, 2022
Scottish mountain bike champion Rab Wardell dies in his sleep aged 37 only days after winning elite title https://t.co/Tkyjy2cVus
— GB News (@GBNEWS) August 24, 2022
BBC reported:
The rider appeared on BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme on Monday evening, describing how he had overcome three punctures to win the race.
The former Commonwealth Games cyclist set a new record time for completing the West Highland Way in 2020.
Wardell, who lived in Glasgow, had been racing mountain bikes since he was a teenager, but only turned professional earlier this year.
His win at Kirroughtree Forest on Sunday was described as a “show of incredible resilience” by British Cycling after Wardell managed to catch the early race leaders to take the win.
GB News added:
It said in a statement on Twitter: “We are devastated to confirm the news that international mountain biker & former employee, Rab Wardell, has passed away today.
“We have very little information at this stage, but we send our love & support to his family, friends & all those in our community who knew him.
“We ask that you respect Rab’s family’s privacy at this incredibly sad time.”
Wardell won the elite men’s title at Kirroughtree Forest on Sunday overcoming several punctures to win on the final lap.
British Cycling paid tribute to Mr Wardell in a statement: “Rab was a brilliant rider, friend and ambassador for our sport. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends.”
On their Facebook page, SXC (Scottish Cross Country Association) said: “We have the saddest news to share with you all today.
“We are devastated to relay to you the tragic news that our friend, our champion Rab Wardell has died overnight.
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