22-year-old Tijl De Decker, one of the world’s leading cycling talents, died yesterday after having an accident during practice the day before.
– It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Tijl De Decker has passed away as a result of a training accident on Wednesday. The team is in mourning, and we send love and thoughts to Tijl’s family and loved ones at this difficult time, said a statement from his Lotto Dstny team.
The entire cycling world expressed shock. Last spring, De Decker won the junior edition of the Paris-Roubaix classic.
– Very sad
– Always positive
Several runners on the Norwegian professional team Uno-X know the Belgian.
Sebastian Kirkedam Larsen was devastated by the message, he told Dagbladet.
– That is very sad news to receive. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to know Tijl. He is always positive and with a smile on his face. Even when we’re down in Paris-Roubaix. In a race he won, he tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Get off Sebastian, we’ll get back up”, he told Dagbladet – and added:
– Today, my thoughts are with my family and teammates.
– Too many
Kirkedam Larsen’s Uno-X teammate, Sakarias Koller Løland, also expressed his sadness and concern for cycling.
– Tragic, of course, despite the fact that I did not know him personally. There had been too many incidents like this by now, and there was always some unpleasant news, he said.
De Decker rides for Belgian team Lotto Dstny’s development team, and will join the professional team in the upcoming season.
He first slipped into an artificial coma following an accident during practice on Wednesday, before news of his death came hours later.
– Tijl was involved in a terrible accident and was seriously injured, team signature X/Twitter.
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