Bas van Belle died
Cycling mourns the loss of its second young talent in just a few hours
September 27, 2024, 5:56 p.m
An incredibly sad day for cycling: after the 18-year-old Swiss Muriel Furrer, the next talent, Bas van Belle, dies. The Dutch Cycling Federation announces the “unexpected” death of the 24-year-old racing driver. Details are not yet known.
It’s a sad day for Dutch cycling. Bas van Belle, club cyclist at Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam, has died at the age of 24. This is reported by the Dutch Cycling Association KNWU on his website. It is not known how van Belle died.
“The KNWU learned of the unexpected death of Bas van Belle with great dejection and sadness,” the cycling association wrote. “We mourn his loss, Bas leaves a huge void in the world of cycling. Our thoughts are with his family – especially his parents and his siblings Lisa and Loe – his friends and everyone who knew Bas. We will remember him as a warm-hearted and friendly people and as a talented cyclist.” An online condolence book has also been set up.
Visma: “Compassion goes out to the entire family”
Van Belle rode for the Luxembourg Continental team Leopard Pro Cycling in 2019 and 2020. He then moved back to Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam. He achieved several top placings for the team from the Dutch capital. In 2023 he came third at the Tour de Okinawa in Japan, also third at a stage of the Course Cycliste de Solidarnosc in Poland and fifth at the NK for elite riders without a contract. His last race took place just last weekend. At the Ronde van Midden-Brabant he finished 65th on Sunday.
Bas van Belle was the older brother of Loe van Belle. The latter currently rides for Visma Lease a Bike. Lisa, Bas and Loe’s younger sister, rides for Proximus-Cyclis CT. Team Visma addressed Loe and his family directly in a post on “Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We wish you strength and courage for the coming days and our condolences go out to all of Bas’ family and friends.
Shortly before, it was announced that the 18-year-old cyclist Muriel Furrer died at the World Championships in Zurich. The Swiss woman fell on Thursday and died in hospital from her serious injuries a day later.
