The Tour of Flanders sportive was overshadowed by the death of a participant, a British rider suffering a suspected heart attack during the event on Saturday.
We Ride Flanders, a mass-participation sportive, takes place on the day before the elite men’s and women’s races, 14,000 riders from around the world taking in the same famous climbs, cobbles and roads of the Tour of Flanders.
Unfortunately, the sportive’s organisation confirmed the death of a rider on Saturday evening, the initial statement explaining that the participant “became unwell while riding”.
Gert Van Goolen from the organisation which runs the sportive, Peloton, told Belgian radio it “is the last thing you want as an organisation” and explained medics arrived at the incident site, just before the Hotond climb, but the man died at the scene.
It has been reported the 51-year-old British man was riding the event alongside his son and suffered a suspected heart attack.
According to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, 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 a British rider was resuscitated on the Oude Kwaremont and taken to hospital.
“We were there very quickly on both occasions,” Van Goolen said. “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.
The sportive takes place on the Saturday before the pro races, giving amateur riders the option of four routes (at 79km, 133km, 163km and 247km), the parcours designed to give participants the same experience of cobbles and climbing that the Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, Lotte Kopecky and Co. will face on Sunday.
2 thoughts on “British cyclist dies during Tour of Flanders sportive”
I was shocked when I went to training this morning to be told by another coach that David had died. He was doing the sportive with his sons. One had ridden ahead and the other was with him when he had the heart attack. I can’t imagine the traumatic experience this would’ve been for his son. I’ve known David for several years and the boys were both very keen racing cyclists (BMX, cyclocross, road and track), with some good results under their belts from a young age.
David took them to so many races, a hands-on dad. He was very fit himself, a keen cyclist too.
My deepest condolences go to his wife and sons. I’ve not named them to give them some privacy.
David will be much missed by the many friends he had in South London’s cycling community, with his irrepressible smile and humour.
Sincere condolences to David’s family for the loss of their husband and father and to you and our local cycling community on the loss of a friend.