Arturo Gravalos dead aged 25: Tributes pour in to Spanish cyclist after losing brave brain tumour battle
SPANISH cyclist Arturo Gravalos has tragically passed away from a brain tumour at the age of 25.
Gravalos underwent surgery for the tumour in November 2021, just a few weeks after he had been diagnosed.
It is understood the operation went positively, but he was subsequently forced to have several more surgeries.
And now his passing has been confirmed by both the La Rioja Cycling Federation and the Eolo-Kometa team – who are part of the Alberto Contador Foundation.
A statement from Eolo-Kometa read: “Life has put many obstacles ahead of him in recent times and he always, always reacted with the best of his faces.
“The grief or regret he kept for himself, he refused to give it continuity. We will never forget you, Arturo Rest in peace.”
Gravalos finished second in Spain‘s U23 national road race in 2019.
And on social media the tributes poured in following the horrible news.
One person said: “Today the world is a much less light-filled place without the smile of Arturo Gravalos.
“His struggle to move forward against all odds, to overcome his illness and his love for cycling will always be a great example for everyone.
“We are leaving a bicycle lover. ”
While his former team, Caja Rural-RGA, added: “We are dismayed by the loss of Arturo Gravalos, who was part of the green family before moving to @EoloKometaTeam, his last team.
“We want to send a huge hug and all our love to your family and friends in these hard times.”