Cyclist Rab Wardell died on Tuesday morning, two days after winning the championship race in Scotland.
The Cyclist Rab Wardell 37-year-old’s death was confirm by his colleague, Olympian Katie Archibald, who said he had a heart attack while in bed.
“I thought you heard that Wed passed away yesterday morning. I still don’t understand what happened. If that’s true, why is he being brought in now – so healthy and happy,” he write.
Archibald continue: “He had a heart attack while we were in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes but his heart stopped, and they couldn’t get him back. Mine stopped with him.” According to the BBC, Wardell – originally from Scotland – competed in the MTB XC Scotland Championships at Dumfries and Galloway, where he won the Men’s Elite title.
Speaking to the after the race, he recalled having a flat tire three times. “To be honest, it was a minor accident, but I just had to keep driving the truck and racing,” he said.
“I thought I still believed that I could catch up with the leaders and win, so I just did my best – what else can you do?” recalls Wardell, who turned pro this year.
Archibald, 28, expressed his feelings after Wardell’s death in his social media posts.
“I can’t describe this pain.” “Thanks to those who saluted,” continued Archibald. “I can’t bear to talk about him in the past, to say anything. You mean everything to me, Wed. I love you.”
Scottish Cycling paid tribute to Wardell in a series of posts on Twitter on Tuesday.
“We are devastated to confirm the news that an international mountain biker [and] former employee Rab Wardell died today,” he said in a statement.