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Michael Goolaerts dies after suffering cardiac arrest at Paris-Roubaix

Verandas Willems-Crelans rider Michael Goolaert was taken to hospital after crash during race

Verandas Willems-Crelan rider Michael Goolaerts, have confirmed that their rider Michael Goolaerts, who was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after crashing at Paris-Roubaix, died in hospital on Sunday evening.

The 23-year-old Belgian had been airlifted to hospital in Lille after the crash which happened on the second of the 29 sectors of pavé used in the 257-kilometre race.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the Belgian UCI Professional Continrntal team said: “It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaerts.

"He passed away on Sunday evening at 22.40 in Lille hospital in the presence of his family members and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts. He died of cardiac arrest, all medical assistance was to no avail.”​

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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12 comments

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S_P_A_C_E_M_A_N | 5 years ago
1 like

Terribly sad news. An awful tragedy.

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CygnusX1 | 5 years ago
1 like

RIP.

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BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes

Desperately sad news, his team must be absolutely ripped to shreds over this as well as of course family and friends.

RIP

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Kendalred | 5 years ago
2 likes

Very sad and distressing that this young man has lost his life taking part in what is, after all, sport.

Also, might be good to update the article body text, rather than just the headline?

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Canyon48 | 5 years ago
0 likes

Absolutely awful  2

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archieboy | 5 years ago
2 likes

RIP Michael Goolaerts

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Jamminatrix | 5 years ago
3 likes

As I understand it, there was no crash per se, he just lost consciousness and lifelessly ghost rode his bike into the dirt bank.

I wonder if this will be another case of undetected, pre-existing heart condition?

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to Jamminatrix | 5 years ago
0 likes
Jamminatrix wrote:

As I understand it, there was no crash per se, he just lost consciousness and lifelessly ghost rode his bike into the dirt bank.

I wonder if this will be another case of undetected, pre-existing heart condition?

Don't spread speculative comments without hard proof, it's not just distasteful, it's disrespectful.

Avatar
SteveAustin replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
7 likes
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Jamminatrix wrote:

As I understand it, there was no crash per se, he just lost consciousness and lifelessly ghost rode his bike into the dirt bank.

I wonder if this will be another case of undetected, pre-existing heart condition?

Don't spread speculative comments without hard proof, it's not just distasteful, it's disrespectful.

funny, when i saw the headline i thought you would be here turning the story into one about you. again

 

Avatar
Jamminatrix replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
2 likes
BehindTheBikesheds]</p>

<p>[quote=Jamminatrix

wrote:

Don't spread speculative comments without hard proof, it's not just distasteful, it's disrespectful.

Actual spectator video, eyewitness accounts, and media commentary equals speculation?

 

Or are you hoping there's something more sinister at play?  Time for an introspective look into yourself...

Avatar
Jamminatrix replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
1 like
BehindTheBikesheds]</p>

<p>[quote=Jamminatrix

wrote:

Don't spread speculative comments without hard proof, it's not just distasteful, it's disrespectful.

Actual spectator video, eyewitness accounts, and media commentary equals speculation?

 

Or are you hoping there's something more sinister at play?  Time for an introspective look into yourself...

Avatar
Pilot Pete replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:
Jamminatrix wrote:

As I understand it, there was no crash per se, he just lost consciousness and lifelessly ghost rode his bike into the dirt bank.

I wonder if this will be another case of undetected, pre-existing heart condition?

Don't spread speculative comments without hard proof, it's not just distasteful, it's disrespectful.

its even reported on this site...

http://road.cc/content/news/239896-cycling-world-pays-tribute-michael-go...

Very sad that such a young sportsman should lose his life doing what he loved...

PP

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