It comes as a distant echo, but it is a piece of news we never wanted to report. Mustafa Ayyorkun, the 21-year-old Turkish rider from Spor Toto Cycling has passed away, a victim of a bad accident last Saturday, during the fifth and final stage of the Tour of Iran.

The rider had suffered neck fractures and was immediately hospitalized in Tabriz hospital, where initially his conditions seemed to be improving. Then, however, there was a sudden worsening of his clinical condition leading to his death, announced through a statement by the Turkish Cycling Federation.

"We are deeply saddened," declared Federation President Emin Müftüoğlu. "From the very beginning - through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Turkish Embassy, the Consulate in Tabriz, and Iranian authorities - we have closely followed the situation. The hospital informed us that our athlete had suffered a neck fracture and would be monitored for three days. You can understand that the news of his sudden passing has deeply shocked us. Mustafa Ayyorkun was a great resource, a hope for Turkish cycling. We extend our condolences to his family, the Spor Toto Cycling Team, our entire cycling community, and his loved ones."