A cyclist died while competing in the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race Saturday.
Details of the death have not been released, but several racers said the man died during a descent, possibly from injuries sustained in a high-speed crash or a medical incident that occurred while he was pedaling.
“The entire Leadville family is deeply saddened by the passing of an athlete,” Jordan Titus, a spokesman for race owner Life Time, said in an emailed statement. “This athlete embodied the spirit of Leadville and our thoughts and sympathies are with their loved ones at this difficult time.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the fatality but said details of the crash could be released on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the race said she was unable to comment “out of respect for the participant.”
News of the death was announced during Sunday’s awards ceremony. Athletes said they shared an emotional moment of silence for the man.
The fatality Saturday marks the second-ever death in the legendary race that began in 1983.
In 2015, 55-year-old Scott Ellis died of an apparent heart attack during the race. The 19-race veteran of the “Race Across the Sky” was climbing the grueling “Powerline” section of the course around mile 80 when he collapsed.