Kenyan cyclist dies in crash during gravel race in Vermont

WEST WINDSOR, Vt. — Kenyan bicycle owner Sule Kangangi died in a crash Saturday whereas competing in a gravel race in Vermont.

Kangangi was driving at a excessive pace within the Vermont Overland race when he crashed.

“Sule is our captain, buddy, brother. He’s additionally a father, husband and son. Gaping holes are left when big’s fall. Sule was a large,” his Workforce AMANI posted on social media. “As a substitute of main us on the entrance of the pack, he’ll now lead us as our guiding pole star as we press ahead within the realization of his dream.”

Rachel Ruto, the spouse of president-elect William Ruto of Kenya, posted on Twitter that she was shocked to be taught the unhappy information that he had handed away after a tragic crash.

“My heartfelt condolences to his household, and all the biking neighborhood, that has misplaced a proficient bicycle owner, a mentor and a buddy,” she wrote. “We’ll all miss him as a person. Kenya has misplaced a champion. Relaxation in peace Sule.”

The Vermont Overland is a 59-mile (95-kilometer) grime street bicycle race that features almost 7,000 ft (2,130 meters) of climbing, in keeping with the race’s web site. About 900 cyclists have been competing on Saturday within the race that begins and ends locally of Brownsville within the city of West Windsor, officers stated.

“Vermont Overland is heartbroken by the tragic dying of Suleiman ‘Sule’ Kangangi throughout The Overland yesterday,” Ansel Dickey, proprietor of Vermont Overland, stated in a press release on Sunday. “He was a sort buddy and an inspiring and heroic athlete to his teammates and the gravel biking neighborhood at giant. We prolong our deepest sympathies to his household, his pals, Workforce Amani, and the individuals of Kenya who’re mourning his loss right this moment.”