Tragedy strikes during amateur version of the Tour of Flanders: Two riders die, including former pro Krafft (45)

There wasn’t only good news during Flanders’ Finest. On Saturday, during the amateur ride of the Tour of Flanders, two cyclists became unwell. Tragically, both passed away. One of them was Stéphane Krafft, a former professional rider. RMC Sport reported the heartbreaking news a day after the incident.

Krafft’s former team Cofidis also confirmed the news. “With great sadness, our team has learned of the passing of one of its former riders, Stéphane Krafft, who wore the Cofidis colors in 2000 and 2001. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends,” the French team shared on social media.

According to sources, the incident happened on the Oude Kwaremont. The 45-year-old Frenchman collapsed while climbing the tough cobbled hill and was immediately given CPR. He was airlifted to the hospital but unfortunately passed away moments later. The second victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was a Dutch man who became unwell on the Taaienberg early in the route. “Despite quick medical help and resuscitation efforts, the person died of heart failure,” said Gert Van Goolen, spokesperson for We Ride Flanders.

Read more below the photo.

Short career at Cofidis after promising youth

Krafft had a brief pro career but showed great promise in his younger years. In 1999, he finished second in the U23 edition of Paris–Roubaix, ahead of future stars like Thomas Voeckler and Tom Boonen. He also took third in a stage of the Tour de l’Avenir, just behind Floyd Landis. Cofidis signed the talented Frenchman and gave him a shot in the pro peloton. There, he rode alongside names like Vandenbroucke and David Millar. But Krafft never fully broke through and retired from the sport in 2001, at just 21 years old.

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