Valentin Buliga lived in north west London
(Picture: GoFundMe)A rider has died aged 41 while participating in the 2022 RideLondon-Essex 100 charity event, organisers have confirmed.
Romanian-born Valentin Buliga, who lived in north west London, suffered a cardiac arrest near Stebbings Green at around the 49-mile mark.
The property and construction business owner received immediate treatment from fellow riders and medical staff at the scene.
But he never recovered consciousness and he died in hospital on 22 June.
Speaking on behalf of Valentin’s family, John Jorja said: “Valentin loved cycling and was so happy and excited on the morning of the event. He was a fantastic person, colleague and friend. He very generously gave the gift of life to others after he passed.”
A fundraising page has been set up for the funeral in Romania and to support his family.
Jorja wrote on the page: “God decided to take Val to his loving home...We’re fundraising to get Val back to his homeland, and support his family through these heartbreaking times.
“What a fantastic person, colleague and friend... Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts!”
The charity bike ride looped from central London to Essex.
It was a 100-mile (160km) route which saw cyclists head towards Braintree before returning to London and finishing at Tower Bridge.
A total of 22,367 riders completed the 2022 RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30 sportives on Sunday May 29.
