Scottish mountain bike racer and current national champion Rab Wardell passed away in his sleep early on Tuesday morning. Just two days prior to his death, he had won the Scottish MTB XC Championship race in Dumfries and Galloway. He was 37 years old.
Rab Wardell cause of death
According to a statement, 37-year-old Scottish mountain cyclist Rab Wardell passed away suddenly while sleeping only a few days after winning the Scottish championship. Messages of support are pouring in for the title winner.
Tragically, two days later Rab Wardell, a Scottish mountain biker who had just triumphed in the Scottish championship despite suffering from a puncture, went away.
According to a statement, the Glasgow resident, 37, died while asleep. Wardell won the elite men’s division at the Scottish MTB XC Championships. On Monday night, he appeared on television to celebrate.
He playfully described the race as “a bit of a disaster” and said he had to overcome two flat tyres to win. A short while after, he unfortunately passed away while asleep.
How did Scottish cyclist Rab Wardell die?
A well-known mountain cyclist abruptly passed away just two days after winning the Scottish Championship.
The Scottish MTB XC Championships were held over the weekend in Dumfries and Galloway, and 48 hours after winning the elite men’s gold, Rab Wardell, 37, passed away in his sleep from what is thought to have been a heart attack.
The Dunfermline racer talked about how he overcome three flat tyres to win on Monday night’s broadcast of BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme.
On the episode of the 9 that aired on BBC Scotland on Monday night, the biker explained how he was able to win the competition despite having three flat tyres.
A cyclist who had previously participated in the Commonwealth Games achieved a new record for completing the West Highland Way in the year 2020.
Rab Wardell expression about the championship
Wardell tweeted on Twitter after winning gold on Sunday to share his happiness at adding a championship to the junior one he had already won earlier in his career.
He penned, “Scottish Champion.”
It took a few years, but I can now add the Senior Cross Country title to the Junior and U23 ones I won almost 20 years ago.
Wardell spoke about his weekend victory at the Dumfries and Galloway track despite having three flat tyres on Monday night’s episode of BBC Scotland’s “The Nine.”
Unfortunately, I think I have a little too much experience patching punctures, he joked.
Even though it was pretty disastrous, I had to continue hauling and racing. What more can you do? I guess I still thought I could catch up to the leaders and win, so I just gave it everything I had.
Rab Wardell riding journey
While on a family vacation in Aviemore, Scotland, when I was maybe 14 or 15, I gave it a go for the first time and decided to continue mountain riding.
Even though my brother David already owned a mountain bike, I rented one from a neighbouring shop so that I could go riding with him over the weekend.
After a while, David joined Sandy Wallace Cycles, our local cycling club, and not long after that, I did the same.
Along the path that has led us to the present, there have been many triumphs and tragedies.
I’ve played sports and worked as a coach in a variety of nations.
I’ve experienced both successes and failures, and I’ve had my fair share of both.
My fervour and love for the game have ebbed and flowed throughout the years.
Despite this, I’m more motivated and eager than I’ve ever been, and my love for riding only grows stronger every year.
Tributes to Rab Wardell
The Scottish Cross Country Association issued the following statement: “Our sincere condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones.” His tenacity, talent, and friendship will endure in all of our hearts and memories, and he will be sincerely missed by our community.
“I’m sure many people will write elegant comments in Rab’s honour, but RIP. Our ally, our model, and our friend.
British Cycling issued a second statement that said: “Everyone at British Cycling is very saddened to learn of the loss of Rab Wardell.
Rab was a great rider, friend, and representative of our sport. He will be dearly missed by a lot of people. At this terribly sad moment, our thoughts are with his family and many friends. A second posted a tribute, saying: “This is incredible, a truly honest guy who loved cycling and those many people who did. Your accomplishments and name will always be remembered. Pedal gently.
Heartbreaking, a third person chimed in. I feel terrible for everyone who knew and loved him. Too soon and too young. David Millar, a former cyclist from Scotland, tweeted: “So sad to hear @RabWardell is leaving us. Really challenging to understand
After hearing the tragic news of Wardell’s passing, fans flocked to offer their respects. One person wrote: “Many moons ago Rab taught my kids to bike. He was always wonderful around them.
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