April 09, 2018 (Roubaix, France) – The cycling world is in mourning today following yesterday’s tragic death of Belgian cyclist Michael Goolaerts (Vérandas Willems-Crelan) during the 116th edition of the Paris-Roubaix road race.

According to race officials, Goolaerts crash occured around the 100 kilometre mark of the 257km race and suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest. He was airlifted to hospital in the nearby city of Lille but could not be revived.

Goolaerts was born in Lier and grew up in Hallaar. He began his professional career in 2016 signing with Lotto-Soudal as a stagiaire before moving to Veranda’s Willems-Crelan in 2017. The promising young 23-year-old rider was participating at his first Paris-Roubaix.

“It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our friend and rider Michael Goolaerts. He passed away Sunday evening at 22:40 in Lille Hospital in the presence of his family and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts,” read a sad message on the Vérandas Willems-Crelan Twitter account followed by thousands of messages of sympathy and condolences from fellow cyclists and friends around the world.

On the Paris-Roubaix website, the organization expressed its condolences saying, “The organisational teams of Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France share the pain experienced by all cycling enthusiasts and would like to express its support for all his entourage, with special thoughts for his family, teammates and the staff of the Véranda’s Willems-Crelan team.”

Pedal joins the cycling community around the world in expressing condolences to Goolaerts family, friends and team members.