The Triple Bypass gran fondo in Colorado USA has confirmed that one of the amateur cyclists participating in the 120-mile event collapsed and died last Saturday.

Midway through the ride, a male cyclist crumpled over and toppled to the ground while ascending 11,990′ Loveland Pass, the second of three major alpine climbs.  Nearby cyclists quickly called for assistance with Colorado State Police and Clear Creek County EMS arriving on scene within a few minutes.  Extensive life saving measures were then taken, including CPR, to resuscitate the rider, but they were unsuccessful and the rider was pronounced dead.

Afterwards, event organiser Team Evergreen issued the following statement:

“It is with heavy hearts that we confirm the death of one of our athletes during the Triple Bypass Ride on Saturday, August 21st. Team Evergreen is choosing not to release the person’s name out of respect for the participant and privacy for the family. It has been determined that the individual, from Centennial, Colorado, died of natural causes.”

This is the second Colorado cyclist participating in a gran fondo to die this month after a man crashed while descending at the Leadville 100 Race on 15 August and was killed.

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, over 5000 riders, including former NFL Super Bowl Champion Quarterback Brett Favre, participated in the sold-out 2021 Triple Bypass gran fondo. 

PHOTOS: G.Wallace

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