Cycling world mourns as Belgian rider hit by race motorcycle dies in hospital

A tragic loss that will lead to more questions about rider safety.

The sport of cycling is greiving today after news of the death of cyclist Antoine Demoitié was confirmed last night. The Belgian died from injuries sustained in a collision with a motorcycle covering the the one-day race Gent-Wevelgem yesterday. The Team Wandy-Gobert rider crashed during the race and was subsequently injured when he was run over by the motorcycle, which was claimed to have been following the riders too closely. Demoitié was taken to hospital in Lille where initial reports of his death were refuted as he fought for his life. However, the 25-year-old racer later did succumb to his injuries, but not before donating organs that saved the lives of three people. https://twitter.com/AFP/status/714225316449935361 https://twitter.com/gaetanbille/status/714357860969357312 Fellow members of the peloton have reacted with sadness to the loss, however, with an inquiry underway into the incident, calls for improved safety regulations regarding the vehicles that accompany every professional bike race after an increasing number of dangerous collisions involving riders in recent times. https://twitter.com/GentWevelgem/status/714416907156393984 https://twitter.com/nicholasroche/status/714364053754421248 https://twitter.com/MarkCavendish/status/714387665962053632 https://twitter.com/chrisfroome/status/714393786596663296 https://twitter.com/DanMartin86/status/714349803682066432 https://twitter.com/DanMartin86/status/714378110435778560 https://twitter.com/DanMartin86/status/714378586631835648