Beloved cyclist Ludo Dierckxsens, renowned for his Tour de France stage victory, passes away during a charity event at age 60.
Belgian cycling icon, Ludo Dierckxsens, tragically passed away on Thursday during a 1,000-kilometer charity ride for Stand Up for Cancer. The 60-year-old former professional cyclist was participating in the event in his native Belgium when he suddenly fell ill during the afternoon stage on the Sint-Gillislaan in Dendermonde.
The organizers announced Dierckxsens' death on their website, expressing their grief and acknowledging his role within their community. "With deep sorrow, we share the news that Ludo Dierckxsens, one of our beloved road captains and former mentor, became unwell on Thursday afternoon during the afternoon stage of the 1000km Stand up for Cancer," they wrote.
Emergency services arrived promptly, but unfortunately, their efforts were too late. A staple in the peloton since its first edition, Dierckxsens was a well-liked road captain and a cherished member of the warm 1000km family. This day of solidarity and connection has been turned into a moment of intense grief.
Throughout his career, which spanned from 1994 to 2005, Dierckxsens was known for his affable and enthusiastic demeanor. He entered the sport late, at the age of 29, after working as a painter for DAF Trucks. In 1993, he finished second in the amateur Tour of Flanders and joined the Willy Naessens team as a trainee at the end of the season.
After quitting his job and racing full-time with a Swiss team, Saxon-Selle Italia, in 1994, Dierckxsens moved to Collstrop-Lystex the following year. His career-defining moment came in 1996 when he signed with the Continental team Tönissteiner-Saxon, which led to a victory in the GP de Denain and podium finishes in Rund um Köln, Fleche Ardennaise, and Paris-Bourges.
In 1998, he raced alongside Andrei Tchmil at the Lotto team, and the following year, he signed with Lampre and landed the biggest result of his career in 1999 at the Tour de France, when he soloed away from the breakaway to claim stage 11 as the Belgian champion. However, his victory was marred when he revealed that he had used a banned corticosteroid to help heal a knee injury more quickly during his post-stage doping control.
Although he never tested positive for the drug, his team removed him from the race after stage 14, and he served a six-month suspension. Despite this controversy, Dierckxsens retired in 2005 at the age of 41 but remained active in cycling, starting a bike shop and a Belgian bike brand before selling the company in 2009.
Our hearts go out to Dierckxsens' family and friends during this difficult time. His impact on the cycling world will be fondly remembered.
[1]: "Ludo Dierckxsens: Dierckxsens handling of 1999 Tour de France doping case under scrutiny" - Cyclingnews[2]: "Former cyclist Ludo Dierckxsens dies during charity ride" - Cyclingnews[3]: "Ludo Dierckxsens to miss rest of Tour de France" - Cyclingnews
[1] "Despite the controversy surrounding his handling of the 1999 Tour de France doping case, Ludo Dierckxsens is known for his successes in the cycling world, especially his victory in the GP de Denain and podium finishes in several popular sports events."
[2] "In fond memory of a well-respected member of the cycling community, Ludo Dierckxsens, former professional cyclist and cherished family member, who tragically passed away during a sports event, the 1,000-kilometer charity ride for Stand Up for Cancer."
