The organisers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour say they are deeply saddened by the passing of two participants.
Two men died in separate incidents during Sunday's race in the Mother City.
Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust, David Bellairs spoke to Kieno Kammies this morning.
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It is always so sad to talk about the success of the event and at the same time talk about people who have sadly passed away.
— David Bellairs, Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
In the first incident, a man died in pile-up involving several other cyclists on the M3.
A group of 20 cyclists came down and one of the cyclist sadly passed away.
— David Bellairs, Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
The other was a gentleman who was riding up Smitswinkel and he had a suspected heart attack. The medical team tried to work on him on site but sadly he succumbed and passed on.
— David Bellairs, Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
Bellair later on released a statement confirming the death of one of their marshals who passed away in hospital.
According to the statement, the details around this death are still sketchy but it has been revealed that he was stationed on an S-bend after the Llundudno turnoff.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear and we are currently investigating the incident in conjunction with the South African Police Services.
— David Bellairs, Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust
This year saw more than 35,000 cyclists participate in the event.
Although the City is in the grip of a water crisis, the event achieved its promise not to use a drop of municipal water on race day.
To hear the rest of the conversation with Cycle Tour organisers, listen below:
