Wardell and Archiebald. — © Instagram
Of mountain bike world is in mourning. Brand new Scottish champion Rab Wardell passed away on Tuesday after a cardiac arrest. His partner, Olympic champion Katie Archibald, tried to save the 37-year-old rider, but without success.
Vincent Van GenechtenBron: BBC, Cyclingnews
Wardell has been mountain biking all his life (and worked for the Scottish Federation), but only turned pro at the beginning of this year with success, as he was crowned Scottish Cross-Country Champion last weekend in Dumfries and Galloway. He did that after no fewer than three flat tires. But two days later disaster struck. Wardell died in his sleep of cardiac arrest.
“I still don’t understand what exactly happened,” said Wardell’s wife Katie Archibald, who became Olympic track cycling champion (in the madison) in Tokyo in 2020 and is multiple world and European champion. “If this is real, why are they taking him just now… While he is healthy and happy. He went into cardiac arrest while we were in bed together. I tried everything and the emergency services were there right away, but his heart had stopped and they couldn’t bring him back. Mine stopped too. I love him so much and I need him. I need him so much, but he’s gone. The pain is indescribable.”
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Wardell was a guest on the BBC on Monday evening, to explain more about his triumph. “To be honest, it was a bit of a disaster,” said the Scot on The Nine. “But you just have to keep going and keep racing. I think I gained confidence once I got hold of the leaders and then I gave it my all. What more can you do?”
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