Cycling community pays tribute to Bjorg Lambrecht
The cycling community has paid tribute to the sudden loss of one of its own, Bjorg Lambrecht, who tragically died following a crash during stage 3 at the Tour de Pologne on Monday. Lambrecht was just 22 years old.
Lambrecht, who raced for the WorldTour team Lotto Soudal, crashed into a concrete culvert partway through the 150km stage, although it is unclear why he fell. Race doctors provided medical treatment to Lambrecht at the side of the road but his condition didn't allow him to be transported to hospital by helicopter. He was taken to hospital by ambulance where he later died during surgery.
Race organisers cancelled the post-race ceremonies as the cycling community mourns the loss of Lambrecht.
Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe), who won the stage, expressed his condolences to Lambrecht's family and teammates at Lotto Soudal. "Today, the result of the race doesn't matter. I was devastated to hear today's tragic news and I would like to personally send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bjorg Lambrecht and everyone at Lotto - Soudal," Ackermann said.
"Everyone at Bora-hansgrohe is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Bjorg Lambrecht. Our deepest sympathies go out to Bjorg's family and friends and the Lotto-Soudal team at this very sad time. The cycling family is deeply shocked and heartbroken about this sad news."
Lambrecht was a fast-rising talent in the professional cycling world. He recently took 12th place and won the best young rider classification at the Critérium du Dauphiné. He also won the under-23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège and placed second in the Tour de l'Avenir, Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta Mont Blanc, Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc and Ronde de l'Isard in 2017. Last year, he won the silver medal in the under-23 road race at the Innsbruck World Championships.
— Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) August 5, 2019
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) August 5, 2019
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) August 5, 2019
— IsraelCyclingAcademy (@yallaACADEMY) August 5, 2019
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) August 5, 2019
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) August 5, 2019
— Hammer Stavanger (@HammerStavanger) August 5, 2019
— Fernando Gaviria (@FndoGaviria) August 5, 2019
— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) August 5, 2019
— Ronde de l'Isard (@RondeIsard) August 5, 2019
— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) August 5, 2019
— Carlton Kirby (@carltonkirby) August 5, 2019
— AG2RLM Pro Cycling Team (@AG2RLMCyclisme) August 5, 2019
— CCC-Liv Team (@CCCLivTeam) August 5, 2019
— David Lappartient (@DLappartient) August 5, 2019
— John Lelangue (@johnlelangue) August 5, 2019
— Sven Nys (@sven_nys) August 5, 2019
— Rudie Ottens (@RudieOttens) August 5, 2019
— Team Bahrain Merida (@Bahrain_Merida) August 5, 2019
— Axel Merckx (@axelmerckx) August 5, 2019
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) August 5, 2019
— alejandro valverde (@alejanvalverde) August 5, 2019
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com