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Road Cycling

Pro Road Cyclists Antoine Demoitie and Daan Myngheer Die in Tragic Weekend for the Sport

Tributes have been pouring in for the Belgian professionals

Left: Antoine Demoitie, right: Daan Myngheer, Photos: Wanty-Gobert/Roubaix-Lille Metropole

Two professional Belgian road cyclists have tragically died in as many days, with Wanty-Gobert rider Antoine Demoitie and Roubaix-Lille Metropole’s Daan Myngheer both passing away after unrelated incidents in races in northern France and Corsica.

Antoine Demoitie died in hospital after being hit by a motorcycle while competing in the Gent-Wevelgem race on Sunday. The 25-year-old was involved in a collision that took several riders down as the race passed through Sainte-Marie-Cappel in the north of France.

Wanty-Gobert have described the incident as an “unfortunate, horrible accident”, with spokesperson José Been refusing to blame the motorcyclist, and telling the BBC: “The cyclists fell right in front of the motorcyclist who had no time to react and just hit them.

“The motorcyclist is very experienced and has been in the races a long time. He is as grief-stricken as we are. It was a very unfortunate, horrible accident for both sides.”

Photo: Wanty-Gobert

Antoine was taken to the University Hospital of Lille where he later passed away. An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances.

Photo: Roubaix-Lille Metropole

22-year-old Daan Myngheer died in hospital after suffering a heart-attack on the first stage of the Criterium International in Corsica on Saturday.

The 2011 Belgian junior champion had only turned professional last year, and pulled up around 20 miles from the finish in the first stage of the race, report the BBC. He was put on artificial respiration and fell into a coma, but later died.

The tributes to Antoine and Daan have been pouring in from around the cycling world. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the riders.

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