Belgian cyclist Niels de Vriendt passed away at the age of 20. de Vriendt, an amateur on the VDM-Van Durm-Michiels-Trawobo CT team, was participating in a practice race before the season restart when he collapsed.

De Vlint was racing in Wortegem-Petegem at the time and was treated by a doctor soon after he collapsed. According to the team, de Vriendt's cause of death was heart failure.

This was the first race held in Belgium since the COVID-19 pandemic closed the cycling season across Europe, and was organized by the mother of Alpecin Phoenix rider Tim Mellier.

At the starting line were Belgian champion Sepp Vanmarcke (EF Pro Cycling) and the Alpecin Phoenix duo of Otto Vergheerde and Jonas Rickert. The race was stopped 13 km from the finish.

De Vlint's team posted a message of condolence on Facebook on Saturday afternoon.

"The VDM-Trawobo cycling team is deeply saddened and devastated by the death of Niels de Vriendt, a promising athlete.

"During the first race in Wortegem-Petegem, he suffered a fatal heart failure. The emergency services did everything in their power to save Niels.

"We hope that the entire VDM family will give strength to the affected family, the riders, and Niels' many friends. Rest in peace. We will miss you."

CyclingNews extends its condolences to Niels de Vriendt's friends, family, and teammates.

Update: Wortegem-Petegem Mayor Luc Vander Meeren spoke to Belgian TV station VTM (via Wielerflits (opens in new tab)) this afternoon and announced that there is nothing suspicious about de Vriendt's death and that unless his parents request an autopsy announced that an autopsy would not be performed unless his parents requested one.

"We have been told by local riders that de Vriendt fell without contact with any riders or third parties. 'We will never know the real cause. Unfortunately for his parents, it will remain a mystery."