Cyclist Michael Goolaerts dies after suffering cardiac arrest during Paris-Roubaix race

Belgian cyclist Michael Goolaerts has died after suffering a cardiac arrest during the Paris-Roubaix race yesterday.

The Independent reports that the 23-year-old had apparently crashed around 110km (68 miles) into the 257km (160 miles) race and received medical assistance on the roadside. Goolaerts was found unconscious by race doctors after falling on the second set of cobbles during the one-day classic, in northern France, says the BBC.

He was airlifted to hospital in Lille but passed away last night, according to a statement from his team, Veranda’s Willems-Crelan.

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“It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaerts,” the statement read. “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.”

David Lappartient, the president of the sport’s governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (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.”

The Paris-Roubaix race was won by world champion Peter Sagan.

Twitter users paid tribute to Goolaerts.