VDB death

[Antoine_Blondin]

According to RTBF, Franck Vandenbroucke is dead

 

[Race Radio]

According to RTBF, Franck Vandenbroucke is dead

pulminary embolism

http://www.rtbf.be/sport/cyclisme/autres-courses/franck-vandenbroeck-est-decede-54115

 

[thehog]

According to RTBF, Franck Vandenbroucke is dead

Looks like an overdose on coke, Pantani style.
___

The news is devastating and spectacular. Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke, enfant terrible of flat country, reportedly died on Monday in a hotel room in Senegal, by Belgian RTBF television.

Few details were given regarding his death as impressive and unexpected. We know only that the former winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege was found unconscious in a hotel room in Senegal. He reportedly died of a pulmonary embolism. It had come back for the umpteenth time on the international stage thanks to Aldo Sassi, coach of Cadel Evans in particular.

We will keep you abreast of the latest news in the coming hours.

We also extend our sincere condolences to the family of the rider.

 

[issoisso]

Was just about to post this. Very weird. Nothing else mentioned so far, but it's also on their website.....but the link is dead. Very strange.

 

[scribe]

Dang that blows. Wiki page is already updated with the basics.

 

[tubularglue]

WTF

 

[aarnold517]

And so ends the life of one of the greatest tragic figures in cycling...it's too bad VDB never could get his life in order, with the kind of talent he had he could have done spectacular things

 

[Steel4Ever]

Always kinda fcked-up when a star bites it -- even if he did burn out a long time ago. Definitely had a messed up life. Never an easy ride for that boy (and not entirely his fault either).

Kind of reminds me of this kid near my home town (Western Canada). He was still a teenager and just starting to rip up the international MTB scene when he crashed and broke his leg. He committed suicide not long after.
** NOT TO ASSUME VDB'S DEATH WAS A SUICIDE!**

Sh!tty way to go. At least we have all those great dope-fueled VDB exploits caught on tape!

p.s. -- wasn't he just on training rides with the Belgium team at World's?!?

 

[Anonymous]

very sad news.. .another life sadly lost, and destroyed in the latter years..

 

[Mellow Velo]

Sad and shocking. Leaves 2 kids.
A lesson for all the apologists.

 

[Tugboat]

Wow...what a sad end to a checkered career.

 

[ak-zaaf]

God is dead.
One of my favorite cyclists of all time.

I'm pretty shocked, but not really surprised he didn't live to see 40.

 

[53 x 11]

WTF

Best kit in pro cycling.

This is a sad day.

 

[racerralph]

And so ends the life of one of the greatest tragic figures in cycling...it's too bad VDB never could get his life in order, with the kind of talent he had he could have done spectacular things

Amen. Very sadly..... may he now rest in peace.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Shocked but not surprised. Very traggic indeed. He will now finally rest in peace.

 

[bianchigirl]

Dead of a heart attack, in Senegal, at the age of 34. Sad, not really shocked, he had some problems but on form he was a great rider to watch.

 

[AlHooKoo]

Rest in Peace VDB.

 

[craig1985]

I always knew this would end badly.

RIP.

 

[dienekes88]

Dead of a heart attack, in Senegal, at the age of 34. Sad, not really shocked, he had some problems but on form he was a great rider to watch.

Pulmonary embolism.

Looks like an overdose on coke, Pantani style.

Sad and shocking. Leaves 2 kids.
A lesson for all the apologists.

Leave it alone. It's unclear that this was drug related...

When I hear pulmonary embolism, two things immediately come to mind: neoplasm and virchow's triad (stasis/turbulence, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability).

 

[Steel4Ever]

Pulmonary embolism. When I hear pulmonary embolism, two things immediately come to mind: neoplasm and virchow's triad (stasis/turbulence, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability).

When I hear pulmonary embolism, two things immediately come to mind: hard to spell.

 

[Ripper]

RIP ... I feel for his friends and family.

 

[luckyboy]

Shocking,sad news

RIP VDB

 

[titan_90]

Wow that bites RIP

 

[blaxland]

rip vdb and i will always have you on tape(vhs)to remember....

 

[the vagabond]

Cyclingnews "would like" to offer condolences to VDB's family and friends? What's preventing you from just doing it?

There's nothing more crass than writing a sentence like that, in that derivative way. Either step up and offer condolences or not; don't say that you would like to. Saying you "would like to" does not express sympathy or offer condolences; it's insipid beyond belief.

RIP, VDB.