Tributes have been paid to a promising teenage cyclist after he died during a mass crash during a junior race in Spain.
Ivan Melendez Luque, 17, was a last-minute inclusion in the Vuelta Ciclista Junior Ribera del Duero to substitute an injured teammate.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday around 12.30pm, midway through the second and toughest stage of the three-day race.
The peloton had just crossed the N-234 highway near the hamlet of El Amogable in the northern province of Soria when the incident took place and a number of riders went to ground.
Local reports said more than a dozen other cyclists fell on top of Ivan after he suffered a tyre blowout and came off his bike.
Emergency medical responders sent to the scene tried to revive him on several occasions at the spot where he fell and in the ambulance on the way to hospital but nothing could be done to save him.
Tributes have been paid to a teenage cyclist after he died during a mass crash during a race
Ivan Melendez Luque, 17, was a last-minute inclusion in the Vuelta Ciclista Junior Ribera del Duero
The stage was suspended and subsequently the whole event called off after Ivan’s death was confirmed.
A tribute event for the teenager, who came from Colmenar near Malaga and rode for a team called Tenerife-Cabberty, was due to take place earlier today in the town of Aranda de Duero just under two hours drive north of Madrid.
Organisers confirmed on social media yesterday along a black ribbon photo they were suspending ‘all activities following the death of a competitor.’
They added: ‘We send all our love and support to the athlete’s family and friends.
‘Tomorrow at 10.30am local time we will gather in the Hispanidad Square in Aranda de Duero to pay tribute to him.’
Alfonso Fernandez Manueco, President of the Castilla and Leon region which the event was staged in, said on X: ‘All my affection and support for the family, friends and companions and to Spanish cycling.’
Wellwisher Sonia Penil said on Facebook: ‘Rest in peace champion. Today all cycling mothers and fathers are heartbroken. Strength to Ivan’s family and companions.’
Another cycling fan added: ‘What a terrible tragedy.
‘My wife and daughter were talking to him last week in the Vuelta a Sevilla in a place called Ecija as well as in Jerez.
‘They can’t stop crying. We feel great anguish.
‘In the name of all our family our condolences to his mum, dad, siblings and grandparents. We will always carry you in our thoughts.’
Last month the world of cycling was left in mourning following the death of promising Italian rider Samuele Privitera.
The 19-year-old was killed in a crash during a descent in the first stage of the Giro Valle d’Aosta in Pontey, Italy, on Wednesday on July 16.
The young star was riding for Hagens Berman Jayco in the Under-23 race.
In a tribute, team owner and general manager Axel Merckx released an emotional statement, calling him ‘irreplaceable’ and ‘always a bright light’.
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Teenage cyclist, 17, dies in horror crash during junior race in Spain as tributes pour in