Cycling world in mourning after second Belgian rider dies

The world of cycling is in shock after the death of a second Belgian rider in as many days.

Daan Myngheer died on Monday after suffering a heart attack during the Criterium International in Corsica at the weekend. His death came a day after that of Antoine Demoitie, who was involved in a crash with a motorbike during the Gent-Wevelgem race on Sunday.

Myngheer, 22, a member of the Roubaix Lille Metropole team, had abandoned the first stage of the race after feeling unwell on Saturday.

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He had "lost contact with the peloton in the final 25km of the stage, with medical staff quickly making contact", reports Cycling News. He suffered a heart attack in the ambulance and was rushed to hospital by helicopter, where he was placed on life support in an induced coma.

Myngheer died on Monday night, surrounded by family, his team revealed. His death was announced by the team on Facebook and other riders were swift to pay their respects.

Just 24 hours before, his fellow countryman, Demoitie, had died in hospital in Lille after being involved in a crash, reportedly with a motorcycle outrider.

The 25-year-old cyclist was "one of a number of riders involved in a crash around 90 miles into the Belgian semi-classic after the race had crossed briefly into France", says Tom Cary of the Daily Telegraph. "Local media reported that he was struck by the motorbike while on the ground.

"The death is sure to raise further questions regarding the number and conduct of vehicles in-race, with the UCI, cycling's world governing body, coming under increasing pressure to act."

Cary notes Demoitie was not the first rider to be hit this season. There have been two other accidents this year and the journalist cites crashes involving six other cyclists in 2015.

Demoitie's team, Wanty-Groupe Gobert, paid tribute to their rider and also Myngheer on Twitter.