Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitié has died after being run over by a motorcycle during a race in Flanders, Belgium.
Tragedy: cyclist Antoine Demoitie died after being hit by a motorcycle following a fall during the Ghent-Wevelgem road race. Photo: Jeremy Gunther
Demoitié, who is part of Team Wanty-Groupe Gobert, was involved in a crash at the 2016 Ghent-Wevelgem event and was rushed to a university hospital in Lille, France.
Details of the crash are scarce, but it has been reported that the 25-year old was hit by the motorcycle when he was trying to get up from the crash.
He was rushed to the ICU at the university hospital, where he was surrounded by his wife and family. Earlier, Team Wanty-Groupe Gobert had tweeted that he was in an "extremely serious" condition.
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Although his team has yet to confirm his death, a police spokesman in the region confirmed a competitor in the race had died.
"The rider died," said Frederic Evrard, a spokesman for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional police told AFP. "An inquiry is under way to determine the circumstances."
R.I.P. Antoine Demoitié. Sad day for cycling again. My thoughts are with his family and friends. 25 years old. #NotFair
— Johan Bruyneel (@JohanBruyneel) March 27, 2016All my wishes to @TeamWantyGobertfriends/family of Antoine Demoitié. A bad day on the bike can never compare. Our fingers are all crossed.
— SamBewley (@SamBewley) March 27, 2016Never nice reading this sort of news. All of #GreenArgylesending the best to TeamWantyGobert's Antoine Demoitie. https://t.co/JdcIRADlzI
— Cannondale Pro Team (@Ride_Argyle) March 27, 2016