A sad day for French cycling yesterday. While fighting for victory in a race organized in Courcemont, in Sarthe, just a few kilometers from the finish line, the UC Joué-lès-Tours rider Noa Sartis collapsed due to a cardiac problem.

The boy, who was 16 years old, was immediately assisted by race officials who performed the first emergency procedures, then was taken in charge by SMUR firefighters, but there was nothing to be done for him.

Noa, son of Yvan Sartis who was a high-level amateur rider, had participated just a few weeks ago in the U17 national championship and had been crowned departmental and regional champion in track pursuit.

photo from the UC Joué-lès-Tours Facebook page