Tragedy at Tour of Flanders sportive as two cyclists confirmed dead, former Cofidis pro died after “collapsing” on Oude Kwaremont

It has been reported that the French rider who died during the Tour of Flanders sportive was former professional cyclist Stéphane Krafft, the incident on the Oude Kwaremont climb one of two fatalities during the We Ride Flanders amateur event on Saturday. A second rider, from the Netherlands, died from heart failure on the Taaienberg climb, while a third emergency also happened on the Eikenberg where a participant collapsed and their condition remains unknown.

The sportive took place on Saturday, a day before pro cyclists tackle the Flemish cobbled climbs, with almost 15,000 amateur riders having flocked to the iconic roads to participate in the event.

However, tragedy struck when two cyclists were pronounced dead. News websites RMC Sport and Tuttobiciweb now reporting that the French rider who died on the Oude Kwaremont was former pro cyclist Stéphane Krafft, who finished second at the U23 version of Paris-Roubaix and raced for Cofidis during his career.

Cofidis posted a brief tribute on social media, writing: "It is with deep sadness that the Cofidis team learned of the death of one of its former riders, Stéphane Krafft, who wore the Cofidis colors in 2000 and 2001. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

The event, branded as ‘We Ride Flanders’, is a sportive with several distance categories catered for cyclists of varying experience — from 80 kilometres all the way to 242 kilometres.

The longest route starts at Brugge and finishes at Oudenaarde, similar to the men’s pro race, while all the other rides start and end at Oudenaarde, mirroring the women’s pro race. Riders can take on the iconic climbs of De Ronde themselves, including the Oude Kwaremont, Koppenberg, Taaienberg, and Molenberg.

However, officials were left to confirm the death of two participants on an incredibly sad day for the international cycling community.

Oude Kwaremont cobbles (credit: road.cc)

Oude Kwaremont — the cobbled road leading up to the Kluisberg hill in East Flanders

According to Flemish news website Het Nieuwsblad, a Dutch cyclist died from heart failure on the Taaienberg in Maarkedal despite efforts by health officials.

Gert Van Goolen, spokesman for Peloton, the organisation behind the sportive event, later confirmed the news: “The man was still resuscitated and the ambulance was there very quickly, but all help came too late. Despite rapid assistance and resuscitation efforts, the person died of heart failure."

Then on the Oude Kwaremont, in Kluisbergen, the French rider Krafft collapsed after becoming unwell. Reports suggest medics tried to revive him for 45 minutes before he was taken to a local hospital by helicopter, where he was pronounced dead.

A third emergency happened on the Eikenberg, where a rider collapsed for unknown reasons. While media reports initially claimed that the rider was successfully resuscitated, the organisers have since announced that this wasn’t the case. Their condition remains unknown.

Earlier in the day, another participant was airlifted off the Koppenberg climb with a suspected ankle fracture.

The organisers said: “The organisation and the emergency services involved express their condolences to the family and friends of those involved and wish them all the strength.”

road.cc has contacted the organisers for further comment.