Former professional cyclist Chris Anker Sorensen was killed in a road accident on the sidelines of the world championships in Belgium on the weekend, local media reported.
The 37-year-old, who won a stage of the Giro d’Italia in 2010, was in Belgium to report on the tournament which commenced on Sunday.
Belgian broadcaster Sporza said that Sorensen was out cycling when he was involved in a collision with a car.
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In his riding career, Sorensen competed for the CSC, Saxo Bank and Tinkoff teams.
As well as winning the eighth stage of the 2010 Giro, he captured the sixth stage of the 2008 Criterium du Dauphine and was Danish national champion in 2015.
Sorensen retired from racing in 2018 after a successful career.
An International Cycling Union spokesman said: “It is a tragic loss.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at the Danish Cycling Federation.”
TV 2 Sport director Frederik Lauesen – where Sorensen worked – added: “It is with great sadness that I have received the news that our good colleague Chris Anker Sørensen is dead.
“Mr Sorensen was in Belgium for the World Cycling Championships.
“Today, Saturday, he was out cycling and was hit by a car, and he later died of his injuries.
“Our thoughts and deep sympathy go to Chris Anker Sorensen’s family.”
The Race World Championship organisers said in a statement: “Flanders 2021 and the UCI are saddened by the news that former rider Chris Anker Sørensen has passed in a traffic accident.
“Chris attended the 2021 UCI Road World Championships while working as an analyst for Danish television. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones.”
– with AFP and The Sun