Scottish cyclist Rab Wardell dies at 37, days after winning championship race

Wardell went into cardiac arrest Tuesday morning while the couple were lying in bed, Katie Archibald, an Olympic medalist in track cycling, said in a social media post Wednesday. 

“I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn’t bring him back,” she wrote. “Mine stopped with it. I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he’s gone. I can’t describe this pain.” 

Scottish Cycling also confirmed Tuesday that Wardell died. “We have very little information at this stage, but we send our love and support to his family, friends and all those in the cycling community who knew him,” the organization said in a statement. 

Wardell died days after he won a national mountain biking race, the Scottish MTB XC Championships, on Sunday. He won despite suffering three punctures during the elite men’s competition, according to Scottish Cycling, the sport’s governing body in the country. 

“Rab was a brilliant rider, friend and ambassador for our sport, and will be sorely missed by so many," British Cycling said.