Kenyan cyclist Sule Kangangi has died after a crash during Vermont Overland Race in United States of America, his Team Amani has confirmed.
The incident took place on Saturday in one of last stages of the race, and while an ambulance was on the scene immediately, the 33-year-old Kangangi’s injuries were so severe that he later died in the hospital.
“It’s with heavy heart that Team Amani and Abayomi Management announce the demise of our friend, partner, teammate ad colleague Sule Kangangi in USA after a heavy crash at the Vermont Gravel Race,” reads the statement.
“We are in pain and we seek your prayers to his young family at this trying moment.”
Kangangi is a former pro-road racer who finished on the podium at the 2017 Tour du Rwanda before transiting to gravel and off-road racing in 2021.
He began racing a decade ago at age 22 and went on to compete as an amateur, racing for club teams and gaining experience at small races in Europe and Australia.
In 2016, he signed with Kenyan Riders Downunder, a UCI Continental team made up of riders from Kenya, Australia and New Zealand.
After one season, Kangangi made the move to Bike Aid, a German-based Continental team before switching to on gravel and off-road competition.
In 2022 he participated in the Rwanda Epic and Cape Epic mountain bike races. The Vermont Overland race was won by his Teammate John Kariuki.
