Belgian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht has died at the age of 22, following a crash during stage three of the Tour de Pologne.
Lambrecht crashed into a concrete culvert approximately 60 miles from the end of the race from Chorzow to Zabrze, as riders battled against heavy rain near the town of Zory.
He was rushed to a Polish hospital in Rybnik by ambulance, where he died during surgery, according to hospital spokesman Michal Sieron.
"The biggest tragedy possible that could happen to the family, friends and team-mates of Bjorg has happened," declared his team, Lotto Soudal.
"Rest in peace."
Lambrecht finished second at the Under-23 World Championships last year and was regarded as one of his country's most promising young riders.
In 2017 he had finished first in the Under-23s version of the prestigious Liege-Bastogne-Liege race.
Back in June he was named the most promising youngster in the Critérium du Dauphiné - traditionally a preparation event for the Tour de France.
An initial statement from the Tour of Poland organisers said: “We’re very sad to report a serious crash for Bjorg Lambrecht of Lotto-Soudal who needed helicopter transport to a hospital following emergency reanimation.
“We’ll report when we know more, but we hope it’s nothing too serious and are wishing fast recovery.”
They later added: "According to unofficial information, doctors managed to bring life functions back to Bjorg Lambrecht (Lotto-Soudal), but his condition didn’t allow for transportation by helicopter.
"He was taken to hospital by ambulance.”
