This Monday, November 25, was the 19th birthday of Belgian cyclist Tuur Hancke. This date also marked the day of his sudden and unexpected death. He announced only a month ago that he would stop competing at the end of the season.
The Flemish team of The Lead out cycling academy announced this Tuesday the death of a member of its team, aged only 19. This is Tuur Hancke, who lost his life the day before completely unexpectedly.
The club of 200 members paid tribute to this young cyclist “always respectful, always smiling, loved by all”.
“Tuur has been with our juniors since 2022 and was last season with the U20s. The riders and staff have the best memories of Tuur,” the team wrote on social media. “Unfortunately, there is no time left together to make new memories. We wish lots of strength to everyone who knew Tuur. First and foremost, Tuur's family, his teammates and friends inside and outside the club. »
“The sudden death of Tuur causes great sadness in our team,” team director Arne Houtekier told Belgian media 7 sur 7. “We could always count on him and he proved his worth to our team in many ways. times. He often rode in the service of others, but he was always 100% motivated.”
The director spoke of the boys who trained with him in the same category, particularly affected by this death: “They trained together and did courses together: this creates a bond that goes beyond simple traveling companions. ”
A month ago, the young rider made the decision to end his cycling career at the end of the season. He made this choice because “the combination with his higher studies, which he started two years ago, gradually became too heavy”, specifies Mr. Houtekier.
A moment of contemplation in his memory will be announced soon.
Belgian cycling in mourning
This sad news arrived a little more than two weeks after the loss of another young 18-year-old Belgian hopeful. On November 8, cyclist Miel Dekien died in a car accident, when he had just finished his second year in the junior category, according to The Future.
How can you help us stay informed?
Epoch Times is a free and independent media outlet, receiving no public support and not belonging to any political party or financial group. Since our creation, we have faced unfair attacks to silence our information, particularly on human rights issues in China. This is why we are counting on your support to defend our independent journalism and to continue, thanks to you, to make the truth known.
