Michael Goolaerts dead: Belgian cyclist dies aged 23 after suffering cardiac arrest in Paris-Roubaix

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

The Belgian cyclist Michael Goolaerts has died aged 23 after suffering cardiac arrest during the Paris-Roubaix classic on Sunday.

A statement by his team, Veranda’s Willems-Crelan, read: “It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaerts. He passed away Sunday evening at 22:40 in Lille hospital in the presence of his family members and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts. He died of cardiac arrest, all medical assistance was to no avail.

“For now there will be no further communication as we want to give his close ones time to deal with this terrible loss. We thank you in advance for respecting the privacy of his relatives.”

Goolaerts was pictured receiving medical assistance on the roadside having apparently crashed around 110km into the 257km race, and was airlifted to hospital. The race continued and was won by world champion Peter Sagan, but shortly afterwards it was revealed that Goolaerts was in a life-threatening condition.

David Lappartient, the president of world cycling’s governing body the UCI, said: “On behalf of the UCI and the cycling family as a whole, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family, team and loved ones of Michael Goolaerts, who left too early.

“We share their immense sadness.”