Gijs Verdick (Cycling Team Jo Piels) has died a week after suffering two heart attacks at the Carpathian Couriers Race in Poland. Verdick was 21 years old and riding his first season at continental level.

“We are very touched by this loss and very sad for the whole team. It is unreal what happened. For Gijs the transition to Cycling Team Jo Piels was the dream to come true. Gijs was a fine boy to race with and we will miss him enormously. Our sympathy goes out to the family, we wish you a lot of power and strength during the processing of this loss”, a statement on the team’s website read.

He is the second rider to die of a heart attack at a race this season after Daan Myngheer passed away in March following a cardiac arrest during the opening stage of the Criterium International..