Michael Goolaerts dead at 23: Tributes pour in for Belgian cyclist as he suffers heart attack after falling on cobbles at Paris-Roubaix and died later in hospital

CYCLIST Michael Goolaerts has sadly died after a crash in Paris-Roubaix.

The Belgian rider suffered a cardiac arrest after falling on the second set of cobbles in the 257km one-day classic in northern France.

PA:Press Association

Michael Goolaerts has sadly died after a heart attack following a crash in Paris-Roubaix[/caption]

The 23-year-old did not appear to be moving when TV cameras drove past the incident in the Briastre sector.

After receiving CPR on the side of the road, he was then airlifted to Lille Hospital Centre, but was tragically announced dead at 9.40pm BST on Sunday night.

A statement from the team read: “It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaearts.

“He passed away Sunday evening in Lille hospital in the presence of his family members and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts.

EPA

“He died of cardiac arrest, all medical assistance was to no avail.

“For now there will be no further communication as we want to give his close ones time to deal with this terrible loss.

“We thank you in advance for respecting the privacy of his relatives.”

Goolaerts, in his fourth season with Veranda’s Willems-Crelan, crashed with 148km of the 257km race remaining.

He had been in superb form this season – placing ninth at Dwars dooor Vlaanderern and 20th at both Driedaagse De Panne and Kuuren-Brussel-Kuurne.

Slovakian ace and three-time world champ Peter Sagan had been celebrating his first ever Paris-Roubaix win in the velodrome just a few miles from the Belgian border.

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But one of the greatest moments in his career was turned upside down when he heard the news of his fellow competitor’s loss.

Sagan,  28, tweeted: “All the thoughts and prayers of the @BORAhansgrohe team and myself are with Michael Goolaerts. Such sad news…”

Heartbroken team-mate Wout van Aert said: “Goolie, like me born in 1994. Therefore, we have been together in the peloton for years.

“I cannot believe this is the end.

“Your eternal smile will always remain an inspiration for me.”

Team Sky said: “Everyone at Team Sky is heartbroken by the loss of Michael Goolaerts. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all at @Snipercycling.”

Just a week ago the second-season pro tweeted his joy at riding Tour of Flanders, with their legendary rowdy fans.

And a month ago he tweeted a picture of a crash he had in Dutch race Ronde van Drenthe, with the caption “little crash in the end @rondjedrenthe. Nothing serious.”

British Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas was also forced to abandon the race after crashing on the first section of cobbles.

The Paris-Roubaix, which is one of the oldest bike races in the world, is famous for rough terrain and challenging sections of “pave” cobblestones, that prove an extra challenge and can be extra hazardous.