Eternal attacker with the broad smile Ludo Dierckxsens (60) suddenly passed away

Former cyclist Ludo Dierckxsens passed away completely unexpectedly on Thursday 29 May at the age of 60.

Dierckxsens, known for his ever-present smile and attacking style in races, was riding as road captain on Thursday at the thousand-kilometre charity event of Kom op tegen Kanker. Around 3pm, however, he became unwell on his bike, and help was to no avail. The former Belgian champion and Tour stage winner died at the age of 60. He had no health problems and was in good shape, as he was in full preparation for the UCI Gravel World Championships.

"I saw him fall," a witness told Het Nieuwsblad, "and I noticed that his shoes remained clipped into his pedals." The paramedics in the ambulance travelling behind the Kom op tegen Kanker peloton provided first aid and began resuscitation. An MUG ambulance also arrived on the scene, but medical assistance was in vain. The Rivierenland police zone confirmed that there had been no accident, but that it was a medical incident.

(FVDV - Source: Wielerflits/Het Nieuwsblad - Photo: ©picture-alliance dpa Gero Breloer)