(ATR) Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitié has died after an accident during Sunday’s staging of the Genk-Wevelgem race.
His Wanty-Gobert team confirmed his death on its official Twitter and Facebook pages, with a black-and-white photograph of him and the text "AntoineDemoitié1990-2016".
According to Agence France Presse, the 25-year-old was involved in a crash with several riders and was then run over by a race motorcycle.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson said in a statement "Antoine will be truly missed. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and team."
The UCI also said it "will cooperate with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident."
Many tributes to Demoitiécould be found on Twitter, led by riders including Mark Cavendish and two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, who lent their support toDemoitié's family.
So sad to hear of the passing of Antoine Demoitié. Condolences to his friends and family.
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) March 28, 2016Such tragic news. RIP Antoine Demoitie. My thoughts and condolences are with your family, friends and teammates.
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) March 28, 2016Demoitié’s Wanty-Gobert team acknowledged the support, saying on its Twitter page: "Thanks for your overwhelming support. The team is touched by all the messages. We will bounce back and #RideForAntoine."
At a press conference later on Monday,Demoitié’s teammate Roy Jans said the team's riders havedecided not to participate in the Three Days of de Panne, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 29.
Jans said "It's too early. We don't have 100% focus at the moment. We need time to process this but first let it even sink in what happened."
The Wanty-Gobert team announced it has also pulled out of theRoute Adélie de Vitré and Paris-Camembert this weekend. The team says thatDemoitié would have been riding in those two races.
The team says it still plans to compete in the Tour of Flanders on April 3.
Written by Gerard Farek
Home page photo: Team Wandy-Gobert/Twitter
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