On Saturday in Luxembourg at the sixth edition of the UCI Schleck Gran Fondo world championship qualifying race, a Belgian participant was involved in a fatal incident.

The 73 year-old rider competing in the medio fondo crashed into a wall on a high-speed descent just after race midpoint. Despite wearing a helmet and emergency services arriving almost immediately to provide life-saving medical care, the cyclist did not survive.

Out of respect for the fallen rider all racing was called-off after the fatal crash.

Former Tour de France champion and race organizer Fränk Schleck issued the following statement on the tragedy:

Schleck Gran Fondo is part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. The sold-out event with over 4000 participants provides amateur cyclists with the opportunity to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships on 155km gran fondo or 86km medio found routes in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

With the event called-off mid-race, the organizer plans to contacted participants via email regarding 2023 results and UCI Gran Fondo World Championships qualifications once the UCI decides how to proceed.

Photo Credit: Luxembourg Ambulance

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