A Dutch cyclist has died after suffering a heart attack during the We Ride Flanders event, an amateur cycling race in Belgium, according to NOS. Despite efforts to provide immediate medical assistance, the participant passed away, according to event officials.
The tragic incident occurred during the race, which saw nearly 15,000 cyclists, with a significant number from the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Germany. The victim collapsed during the ride, and medical teams attempted to revive him with “quick help and resuscitation efforts.” However, the cyclist could not be saved.
Along with the Dutch cyclist, a French participant also died after falling ill during the race. Despite being airlifted to the hospital and receiving medical care, he too succumbed to his condition. A third cyclist who fell ill was successfully revived.
The We Ride Flanders event, which offers various race distances from 80 kilometers to 229 kilometers, took place ahead of the professional Ronde van Vlaanderen. The race between Brugge and Oudenaarde is a highly anticipated event, with participants testing their endurance on the same challenging course as the professionals.