Spanish cycling champion dies after crash
November 26, 2006
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- World track cycling champion Isaac Galvez of Spain, a runner-up in a Tour de France stage last summer, died after crashing during a six-day track race in Ghent. He was 31.
Galvez died Saturday night after crashing against the railing during the next-to-last day of the Madison competition, event organizer Rob Discart said. Galvez, who raced for the Caisse d'Epargne team, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, Discart told VRT radio.
"He was an athlete who represented Spain, who always fought for himself and his country and then he has this accident," said Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee. "There aren't words to describe this tragedy."
Galvez won the Madison event in Bordeaux, France, in April with partner Joan Llaneras Rossello, reclaiming the title he first won in 1999. In July, he rode in the Tour de France and finished second in the fourth stage.
The Six Days of Ghent race was immediately abandoned. Meet organizer Patrick Sercu said it was the first fatality in 45 years at the track.
Alfonso Galilea, sporting director of Caisse d'Epargne team, said sprinting always has an element of risk.
"No one can remember anything like this," Galilea said. "What matters is the loss."
