Belgian Cyclist Michael Goolaerts Dies After Suffering Heart Attack in Paris-Roubaix Race

Paris, April 9: A professional Belgian cyclist died on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest during Paris-Roubaix race. Michael Goolaerts died in hospital after suffering the cardiac arrest during Sunday's Paris-Roubaix race, according to The Guardian. The 23-year-old's death was confirmed by his team Veranda's Willems-Crelan in a statement on their Twitter account. Before taking him to the hospital, Goolaerts was even administered a CPR treatment on the side of the road.

The statement from Veranda's Willems-Crelan read: "It is with unimaginable sadness that we have to communicate the passing of our rider and friend Michael Goolaerts. He passed away on Sunday evening at 22.40 in Lille hospital in the presence of his family members and loved ones, who we keep in our thoughts. He died of cardiac arrest, all medical assistance was to no avail." The race was won by the Slovakian world champion Peter Sagan.