British Cyclist Dies During Tour of Flanders Amateur Sportive as Safety Questions Mount Over We Ride Flanders Event
A 51-year-old British man has died after collapsing during the We Ride Flanders sportive on Saturday, the amateur event that takes place on the same roads as the professional Tour of Flanders the following day. The rider, who was participating in the event with his son, collapsed of a suspected cardiac arrest near the Hotond climb close to Ronse.
Medical teams were quickly on the scene and resuscitation efforts were made, but despite the rapid response the man could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other riders also suffered cardiac events during the sportive and were successfully resuscitated by medical personnel before being transported to hospital for further treatment.
The tragedy marks the second consecutive year in which fatalities have occurred at the We Ride Flanders event. In 2025, two cyclists died during the sportive, with a third airlifted to hospital by helicopter. The recurring incidents have prompted calls from participants and safety advocates for a review of the medical provisions and risk management protocols at the event, which attracts tens of thousands of amateur riders each year.
We Ride Flanders is one of the most popular sportive events in European cycling, offering amateur riders the chance to tackle the same iconic cobbled climbs — including the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and Koppenberg — that the professionals race over the following day. The event typically draws riders from across Europe, many of whom travel specifically for the experience of riding the Flemish bergs.
The physical demands of the course are considerable. Depending on the distance chosen, riders face between 130 and 230 kilometres of rolling Flemish terrain punctuated by steep cobbled climbs. The combination of distance, cobbled surfaces and the competitive atmosphere of a mass-participation event can push riders beyond their physical limits, particularly those with undiagnosed cardiovascular conditions.
Event organisers Flanders Classics expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased rider and confirmed that all medical protocols were followed. The organisation deploys medical teams at multiple points along the route, including at the top of the most demanding climbs, and provides cardiac defibrillators at key locations.
The broader cycling community has responded with an outpouring of sympathy and renewed calls for cardiac screening programmes for amateur cyclists. Several sports medicine experts have advocated for mandatory health checks for participants in events of this intensity, though such measures would face significant logistical and cost challenges given the scale of mass-participation cycling events.
Our thoughts are with the rider's family, his son who was riding alongside him, and all those affected by this tragedy.