For minutes of applause for Peloton Ludo Dierckxsens, organization confirms that 1000 km for Kom op tegen Kanker continues: « We are now cycling for Ludo » (Mechelen)
The 1000 km for Kom op tegen Kanker will also continue in the coming days. David Vansteenbruggen, General Director confirms this. During the first day of the event on Thursday, road captain and former professional Ludo Dierckxsens died. « He was part of our family and would have wanted it that way, » it sounds.
The news hit like a bomb on Thursday afternoon. During the ride from Buggenhout to Mechelen, on the first day of the 1000 km before Kom op tegen Kanker, former professional cyclist and road captain Ludo Dierckxsens became unwell. The ambulance that drove behind the peloton was immediately on the spot and there was also a mosquito, but help was no longer helped. Dierckxsens died on the spot at the age of 60.
The organization decided on Thursday evening to let the 1000 km continue in the coming days. « Ludo was there from the beginning and was really part of our family, » says David Vansteenbruggen, general manager at Kom op tegen Kanker. « He was very involved and had a big heart for the 1000 km. The defeat is therefore great. He would have liked anything else than we would continue to cycle. »
Ludo Dierckxsens in the 1000 km of last year. – © Stijn van de Sande
« The 1000 km is by definition a place where people come together with very heavy stories. It is an event that works purely. Knowing how to deal with heavy news, but that does not alter the fact that this is an absolute drama and we think of his family and friends. In the coming days we will extensively honor Ludo. »
That will happen tonight, but also Friday morning and in the afternoon during the break in the afternoon town. « We are now cycling for Ludo, » says Vansteenbruggen. « We are going to do that modestly and with great respect for those who were Ludo. As a road captain, but especially as a person. Fate is having to strike in this way, is indiscriminate. »
The peloton in which Ludo Dierckxsens used was informed on the way. Under normal circumstances, the arrival of cyclists is a big party, but on Thursday there was mainly defeat among the participants and their supporters. The cyclists were welcomed with a modest applause, but other festivities were deleted. A photo of Dierckxsens as road captain was also shown on the large screens.
For minutes of applause
Around 8 pm the peloton with which Dierckxsens was added to the Grote Markt. That happened under the supervision of a minute of applause. Afterwards, the road captains, which were clearly excited by the tragic event, gathered on stage. There an emotional tribute was made to the former pro. That happened with the song ‘1 million meters’ from Yevgueni and a new applause.
Victim treatment is provided for the supervisors and riders. It is the first time in fourteen editions of the 1000 km for Kom op tegen Kanker that a participant dies.
