British Cycling announced the tragic passing of 55 year-old masters competitor Paul Atkinson (VELO CLUB ST RAPHAEL) due to a crash last month during a circuit race at the Lee Valley VeloPark.

The national governing body for cycling issued the following statement: “British Cycling are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Paul Atkinson following an incident during a race on Saturday 22nd March. A full investigation is underway. Paul was regarded highly by the wider cycling community and will be missed by all who knew him.”

While competing in the Full Gas Spring Rumble series on 22 March, Atlkinson was involved in a traumatic mid-race crash, reportedly hitting his head on the pavement, stopping his heart and fracturing his spine.

On-scene resuscitation efforts were underway when paramedics arrived within five minutes to transport Atkinson to hospital, where despite “continuous resuscitation effort for over an hour” by doctors at the Royal London Hospital Whitehall, he was pronounced deceased, according to a coroners statement.

Velo Club St Raphael spokesperson Michael Waite commented, “Paul was a credit to Velo Club St Raphael over many years as a rider and a person. He will be sadly missed by his family and the club.”

Atkinson had a long amateur racing career, including representing Great Britain at the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Scotland and placing 12th at the British National Masters Circuit Championships last year.

British Cycling is investigating the incident and a coroner’s inquest has been opened at the request of the Atkinson’s family, Velo Club St Raphael and Lee Valley VeloPark, with plans to conduct interviews of race participants/staff and review race video.

Photo Credit: Velo Club St Raphael

© 2019-2025 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily