Briton dies in French Ironman contest
A British extreme athlete who was taking part in the Nice Ironman contest in the south of France died on Sunday after crashing into a wall during the bicycle leg of the grueling event.
The ninth edition of the Nice Ironman contest ended in tragedy on Sunday after a 30-year-old British contestant died in a bike crash.
The man, who has not been named but is believed to be from London, reportedly crashed into a wall on the main road in the town of Tourettes-sur-Loup at a sharp turn in the road.
He was airlifted to hospital but later died from his injuries, French TV, TF1 reported.
“The accident was probably caused by an error by the rider that resulted in him skidding and then hitting his head on the rock, causing concussion,” said a shocked Yves Cordier, the organiser of the competition.
The death of the Briton is reportedly the first time that a contestant has died during an Ironman contest in France.
The race winner Frederiek van Lierde from Belgium, led a minute's silence for the victim at the end of the race.
The grueling event began with a 3.8km swim in the sea, followed by a 180km bike circuit with the final leg being a marathon run.
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The ninth edition of the Nice Ironman contest ended in tragedy on Sunday after a 30-year-old British contestant died in a bike crash.
The man, who has not been named but is believed to be from London, reportedly crashed into a wall on the main road in the town of Tourettes-sur-Loup at a sharp turn in the road.
He was airlifted to hospital but later died from his injuries, French TV, TF1 reported.
“The accident was probably caused by an error by the rider that resulted in him skidding and then hitting his head on the rock, causing concussion,” said a shocked Yves Cordier, the organiser of the competition.
The death of the Briton is reportedly the first time that a contestant has died during an Ironman contest in France.
The race winner Frederiek van Lierde from Belgium, led a minute's silence for the victim at the end of the race.
The grueling event began with a 3.8km swim in the sea, followed by a 180km bike circuit with the final leg being a marathon run.
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