Tributes have been paid to a British cyclist who died at the weekend after suffering a suspected heart attack while taking part in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège sportive.
A mass participation sportive, the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge takes place the day before the elite men’s and women’s editions of cycling’s oldest one-day classic, and sees 8,000 amateurs riding the same hilly roads of the Belgian Ardennes as the pros.
However, this year’s event has been overshadowed by the news that Colin Moses, a cyclocross rider and former fell runner from Yorkshire, collapsed due to an apparent cardiac arrest at around 10.30am on the Col de Lamormenil, the second major climb of the day.
Moses appears to have been taking part in the full 250km course, the longest of the three routes on offer and described by the sportive’s organisers as the “ultimate challenge”, mirroring the route tackled during the elite men’s race, won by Tadej Pogačar, the following day.
According to TVLux, who first reported on the tragic incident at the weekend, a medical helicopter was dispatched to evacuate Moses to Liège’s University Hospital, where his condition was described as critical.
The event’s organisers have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. However, it was confirmed this week by friends on social media that Moses, from Oldfield, West Yorkshire, has tragically died after sustaining a heart attack during the sportive.
In a tribute paid to Moses on Facebook, Allan Greenwood said: “Colin was a good club fell runner as a member of Bingley Harriers & AC, as well as a cyclocross specialist, having completed the 3 Peaks cyclocross numerous times.
“Above all, he was a steady laidback bloke, always ready for a natter, and a compliment about a run or ride I’d completed or race I’d organised. Always humble about his own achievements.
“So sad. Gone way too early. RIP Colin. Love to Debbie and the family, thinking of you at this sad time.”
Following the news, tributes to Moses have poured in across social media, with friends and fellow cyclists describing Colin as a “typical Yorkshireman” and a “lovely guy”.
“With great sadness I share the news that Colin died unexpectedly on Sunday whilst riding the Liege-Bastogne-Liege Sportive,” the organisers of Three Peaks, the Yorkshire race regarded as one of the toughest cyclocross events in Britain, posted on their website.
“Colin loved our unique event with over 27 completions. He once told friends that he lost count of the number of times he tamed the course. He was one of our own.”
The news of Colin’s tragic death comes just a few weeks after another British amateur cyclist died from a suspected heart attack while riding the Tour of Flanders sportive.
It was reported the 51-year-old British man was riding the event alongside his son and suffered a cardiac arrest. Medics arrived at the incident site, just before the Hotond climb, but the man died at the scene.
> British cyclist dies during Tour of Flanders sportive
Two further incidents saw two riders resuscitated later in the day. A Dutch rider, 57, received medical attention on the Karnemelkbeekstraat at around 12.30pm, while an hour and a half later another British rider was resuscitated on the Oude Kwaremont and taken to hospital.
“It is the last thing you want as an organisation. We were there very quickly on both occasions,” organiser Gert Van Goolen told Belgian Radio at the time. “You hope that 14,000 people can have a nice day here and you know there are risks, but you really don’t want this.”
A We Ride Flanders statement said: “What should have been a memorable day at We Ride Flanders 2026 was overshadowed by the loss of one of our participants, who became unwell while riding. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and send our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him.”
Last year, two cyclists died during the We Ride Flanders sportive, with a third airlifted to hospital. The French rider who died was former professional cyclist Stéphane Krafft, who rode for Cofidis and finished second at the U23 version of Paris-Roubaix during his racing career.
