Mountain bike rider Rab Wardell dies aged 37, days after winning Scottish title | To go biking

Mountain bike rider Rab Wardell has died aged 37, just days after competing in and winning the Scottish MTB-XC Championships.

Scottish Cycling confirmed on Tuesday night that Wardell had died in his sleep. Wardell appeared on ` Scotland’s The Nine on Monday night to discuss his victory on Sunday.

“We are devastated to confirm the news that international mountain biker and former employee Rab Wardell passed away today,” Scottish Cycling said in a statement.

“We have very little information at this time, but we send our love and support to his family, friends and everyone in our community who knew him. We ask that you respect the privacy of Rab’s family at this incredibly sad time.”

Wardell’s partner, track cyclist Katie Archibald, tweeted Wednesday that he went into “cardiac arrest” on Tuesday morning.

“I think you heard that Rab died yesterday morning,” Archibald wrote, “I still don’t understand what happened; if this is real; why would he be taken now – so healthy and happy.

“He went into cardiac arrest while we were in bed. I tried and tried and paramedics arrived within minutes but his heart stopped and they couldn’t get him back.”

Wardell won the elite men’s title at Kirroughtree Forest in Dumfries & Galloway on Sunday, overcoming multiple punctures to win on the last lap. His victory was described by British Cycling as “a demonstration of incredible resilience”.

Sunday’s race organizers, the Scottish Cross Country Association, paid tribute to Wardell on Facebook.

“He will be truly missed by our community and his determination, talent and friendship will live on in all of our hearts and memories,” the statement said. “I’m sure many others than RIP Rab will write more eloquent words. Our champion, our inspiration, our friend.”

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy tweeted: “I can’t believe this. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in Peace Rab.”

Wardell, who lived in Glasgow with Archibald, had been racing mountain bikes since he was a teenager but only turned pro earlier this year.