Cycling Death in SA

CaoimH_in

For those who aren't religious readers of Velonation (silly fools):

South African finished fifth in London Olympics XC race
South African cycling and the mountain bike community are trying to come to terms with the news that Burry Stander has been killed in a training accident today.

According to initial reports, the 25 year old rider was hit by a taxi while training on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

Many individuals connected with the MTB and South African cycling scene have been paying tribute to the talented rider, who represented his country in the London Olympics and finished fifth there.

He also won the 2009 world under 23 cross country championships, showing his potential.

“He was out training, and apparently there was a motorist accident,” said South Africa Cycling president William Newman, according to Ewn.co.za. He added that the news was ‘tragic.’

While he concentrated on mountainbike competition, Sander also clocked some very solid road results. He was second behind Darren Lill in the 2011 South African road race championships.

Last season he triumphed in the Windham World Cup, the Specialized Racing rider beating Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Wildwolf - Trek Pro Racing) by seventeen seconds and Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale Factory Racing) by 31.

Stander and racing partner Christoph Sauser twice won the Cape Epic race. The latter was in shock at the news, paying tribute via Twitter. “Never felt so empty since my dad passed away when I was a kid,” he wrote. “I will never ever forget you!”

Condolences to Standers’ wife, family, friends and team-mates.

Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/13615/2009-World-Under-23-MTB-champion-Burry-Stander-killed-in-training-accident.aspx#ixzz2GwskVGQQ

Very sad. Be careful out there folks!

TheBlaaMan

CaoimH_in wrote: »

For those who aren't religious readers of Velonation (silly fools):




Read more: http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/13615/2009-World-Under-23-MTB-champion-Burry-Stander-killed-in-training-accident.aspx#ixzz2GwskVGQQ

Very sad. Be careful out there folks!

Thats very sad. I well remember his performance at the Olympics - he was in contention for a medal up until the last few laps.

RIP

RobFowl

RIP

Tenzor07

R.I.P

A young and very talented athlete.


Stay safe out there on the roads people..

C3PO

A terrible tragedy! Too many cycling pro's being killed on the roads training these days!

Straatvark

RIP "African MTB Kid"

Burry Stander had an enormous following here in SA - even before his death. That was (deservedly) earned by his cycling skills, work ethic & results. The way he and Christoph Sauser won the 2012 Cape Epic was just awesome.

But most of all he will be remembered for his personality & accessibility to the "normal cyclist on the street" in SA. That include loads of charity work as per the image below.

Loads of protest rides currently being organised across SA.

Tot weersiens Burry

letape

Really shocking news - so many cyclists being killed and seriously injured these past few months.

RIP

TheBlaaMan

http://www.redbull.com/en/bike/stories/1331580322179/a-tribute-to-burry-stander

Tenzor07

More details here: http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/burry-stander-death-more-details-emerge-36106/

Burry Stander was out on a training ride in Shelly Beach, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on January 3, when he was hit by a taxi. Apparently the driver did not see Stander when he made a turn. Stander died on the scene.

Colonel Jay Naicker, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed that a docket for culpable homicide was opened.