Cycling faces another tragic loss of a promising young rider within a short timeframe.
It's a grim day for Dutch cycling. The cyclist Bas van Belle, affiliated with Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam, has departed at the age of 24. The Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU) shared this somber news on their website. The reasons behind van Belle's demise remain unclear.
"The KNWU has received the devastating news of Bas van Belle's unexpected death with great shock and sorrow," the cycling federation stated. "We grieve his departure, Bas leaves a significant gap in the cycling community. Our thoughts are with his family - particularly his parents and his siblings Lisa and Loe - his friends, and everyone who knew Bas. We will remember him as a compassionate and amiable person, along with a promising cyclist." Moreover, an online condolence book has been established.
Visma: "Deepest Sympathy to the Entire Family"
Van Belle represented the Luxembourgish Continental team Leopard Pro Cycling in 2019 and 2020. Following his tenure with the team, he returned to Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam. For the Amsterdam-based team, he secured several prominent placements. In 2023, he finished third in the Tour de Okinawa in Japan, also third in a stage of the Course Cycliste de Solidarnosc in Poland, and fifth in the NK for elite riders without a contract. His final competition was just last week. At the Ronde van Midden-Brabant, he ranked 65th on Sunday.
Bas van Belle was the elder brother of Loe van Belle. At present, the latter rides for Visma Lease a Bike. Lisa, the younger sister of Bas and Loe, is a part of Proximus-Cyclis CT. Team Visma extended their sympathies to Loe and his family via X and expressed "deepest condolences": "We are profoundly saddened by Bas's sudden demise, your brother and son," the team said. "Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones during this extremely challenging period. We wish you resilience and courage for the days ahead, and our sympathies extend to the entire family and friends of Bas."
Earlier, the news surfaced of 18-year-old cyclist Muriel Furrer's demise at the World Championships in Zurich. The Swiss cyclist met with an accident on Thursday and unfortunately passed away in the hospital on Friday due to severe injuries.
"Bas van Belle's sudden departure has left a void in the world of sports, specifically Dutch cycling and the teams he represented.""Despite his youth, Bas had made a significant impact in sports, with his achievements in various competitions showing his promising future in the field."
