Burry Stander, former world mountain bike champion, dies in car accident
Published Time:
2013-01-05
Burry Stander, former world mountain bike champion, dies in car accident
Burry Stander died in a car accident in South Africa on Thursday, January 3rd. The mountain biker was hit by a taxi while riding.
“The South African Cycling Association sadly confirms the death of mountain biking champion Burry Stander.” The cycling union issued a statement Thursday evening. “Burry was hit by a motor vehicle while training on Shelly Beach on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Details of the accident are still under investigation.”
As a top rider in the World Cup circuit, Stander joined the Specialized team in recent years and achieved remarkable results. He won the 2009 U23 World Mountain Bike Championship.
Recently, in 2012, he finished fifth at the London Olympics and won the Wyndham World Cup. He ended the season by winning the South African Singlespeed World Championship. He also married professional cyclist Cherise Stander in 2012, who had recently switched from road racing to mountain biking.
“Burry, currently the most successful mountain biker in the country, was a true sporting role model, but his career was tragically cut short.” The South African Cycling Association stated. “This is not only a great loss to South African sport, but also the loss of a truly professional, honest, and humble gentleman, constantly displaying his courage and being a pride of the nation.”
In 2011, Stander made history by becoming the first ever South African champion in the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race. Since his first Cape Epic mountain bike race in 2008, he participated six times, winning 20 stages with his teammate Christoph Sauser and twice winning the team prize.
Burry and his teammate Christoph Sauser fought for their championship title
Cape Epic founder Kevin Vermaak said, “This is the saddest news I’ve received in my ten years involved in South African cycling. Burry was our brightest star. I’m heartbroken that the world has lost a true legend. We will never know how great he could have become. My condolences go out to his wife and family, his most loyal supporters.”
Specialized Racing’s David Hyam said, “It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our friend and cycling legend Burry, whose young life was tragically cut short this afternoon (3rd) while training in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. We have not only lost a friend, colleague, and teammate, but a true sportsman. He will be remembered for his humility, courage, and gentlemanly spirit.”
Editor in charge: Ling Zi
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