Rab Wardell, a 37-year-old mountain cyclist from Scotland, fell away peacefully as he was sleeping just two days after winning the Scottish championship. At the Scottish MTB XC Championships, which took place in Dumfries and Galloway, Wardell won the first place trophy in the elite men’s division.
The biker described how he managed to win the tournament despite experiencing three flat tyres on the episode of The Nine that aired on BBC Scotland on Monday night. In the year 2020, a cyclist who had previously competed in the Commonwealth Games set a new record for completing the West Highland Way.
Although Wardell, a native of Glasgow, had been racing in mountain bike races since he was in his early 20s, he didn’t turn pro until this year. He began his career in the sport when he was in his early 20s.
After he overhauled the early leaders to clinch the win, British Cycling lauded Wardell’s victory at Kirroughtree Forest as a “show of extraordinary resilience.” This came after Wardell claimed the victory on Sunday.
Learn More About the Fatal Accident That Befell Cyclist Rab Wardell
Rab left this world on the evening of August 22, 2018, as he was resting quietly in his sleep. His family and friends have chosen not to provide any further details on his passing.
Yesterday, Rab was featured in an interview with BBC Scotland, where he discussed his achievements, most notably his triumph in the senior category of the Scottish MTB XC Championships that took place over the weekend. In the same series, Rab had already triumphed in both the Junior and the U23 divisions.
On Monday, Rab Wardell will be discussing his championship win on the show The Nine, which is broadcast on BBC Scotland.
In 1999, Rab Wardell made his first purchase of a mountain bike, which marked the beginning of what would become a lengthy career in competition and, eventually, coaching. He has been successful in a variety of disciplines, including cross-country and enduro riding, among others. His focus has recently switched to long-distance running, specifically marathons.
When asked on Monday night’s episode of BBC Scotland’s The Nine how he managed to win the race despite having three flat tyres, the driver shared his story about how he overcome the obstacles. The former cyclist who competed in the Commonwealth Games in 2020 was successful in beating his previous record for completing the West Highland Road.
In Memory of Rab Wardell, From His Family After His Passing
It can now be confirmed that the terrible death of the 37-year-old occurred when they were sleeping the night before. Wardell, who lives in Glasgow, took first place in the elite men’s category in the Scottish MTB XC Championships, which were held in Dumfries and Galloway. The revelation has left his family in utter disbelief.
While on vacation with his family in Aviemore, Scotland, when he was around 14 or 15 years old, he gave mountain biking a go for the first time. David, his brother, already had a mountain bike, but he leased a second one for the weekend from a local store so that he could ride more trails. At some point in the future, David joined Sandy Wallace Cycles, the local cycling club in our area.
Along the path that led to the present, there have been many peaks and valleys. He competed in events all around the world and also took coaching jobs everywhere he could. He had successes as well as failures; this was to be expected.
After hearing the news of Wardell’s passing, the Scottish Cross Country Association, which is in charge of organising the mountain bike races, expressed its “devastation” in a statement. In a statement that was posted on the organization’s Facebook page, the association expressed its “deepest sympathy” to his friends, family, and loved ones.
Rab Wardell Career And Journey
Yesterday evening on BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme, Rab Wardell detailed how he won the race despite suffering three punctures and how he was able to do it. In the wake of the devastating news, numerous bereaved friends and family members of Wardell have shared their condolences online.
Even though Wardell had been racing mountain bikes since he was in his early 20s, he didn’t turn pro until this year. He had been racing mountain bikes since he was in his early 20s.
After he overhauled the early leaders to clinch the win, British Cycling lauded Wardell’s victory at Kirroughtree Forest as a “show of extraordinary resilience.” This came after Wardell claimed the victory on Sunday.
When asked about the race the following day on BBC Scotland’s The Nine, he responded, “To be honest, it was a bit of a disaster, but I just have to get on trucking and keep racing,” in response to the question regarding the competition.
‘Our champion, our inspiration, our friend’
In a statement released on social media, the Scottish Cross Country Association, the organisation that organised the mountain bike race in which Rab competed, wrote, “We are devastated to relay to you the tragic news that our friend, our champion Rab Wardell has passed away.”
Our hearts go out to all of his loved ones, including his friends and family.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone in our community, and the memories of his perseverance, talent, and friendship will continue to live on in all of our hearts.
“I’m sure that many other people will write more elegant remarks, but rest in peace, Rab. Our champion, our inspiration, our buddy.”
Others have expressed their astonishment and sadness at the news, referring to him as a motivational figure in their statements.
How did you initially become interested in cycling, and tell us about your journey since then
After testing it out for the first time on a family vacation in Aviemore, Scotland, when I was maybe 14 or 15, I decided to pursue mountain riding. While my brother David already owned a mountain bike, I rented one from a local store so that I could ride with him throughout the weekend. After some time, David became a member of Sandy Wallace Cycles, which is our local cycling club; I followed in his footsteps not long after that.
Along the path that led to the present day, there have been many triumphs and tragedies. I have competed and coached in a variety of locations across the globe. I’ve been successful at times, but I’ve also struggled at other times. My enthusiasm and affection for the game have ebbed and flowed over the course of so many years.
Despite this, I am currently more driven and enthusiastic than I have ever been, and my love of riding continues to deepen with each passing year.
How did you initially become interested in cycling, and tell us about your journey since then
After testing it out for the first time on a family vacation in Aviemore, Scotland, when I was maybe 14 or 15, I decided to pursue mountain riding. While my brother David already owned a mountain bike, I rented one from a local store so that I could ride with him throughout the weekend. After some time, David became a member of Sandy Wallace Cycles, which is our local cycling club; I followed in his footsteps not long after that.
Along the path that led to the present day, there have been many triumphs and tragedies. I have competed and coached in a variety of locations across the globe. I’ve been successful at times, but I’ve also struggled at other times. My enthusiasm and affection for the game have ebbed and flowed over the course of so many years.
Despite this, I am currently more driven and enthusiastic than I have ever been, and my love of riding continues to deepen with each passing year.
How would you describe your experience competing for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games?
It’s been such a long time, I nearly don’t recall what happened.
In all seriousness, it was a wonderful learning experience; but, the races I participated in did not go particularly well.
In the middle of the mountain bike race, I received a flat tyre and had to drop out with just one lap to go. After I got a flat tyre, I was really competing in the same group as a young and inexperienced Chris Froome, but I decided to drop out of that race so that I would be fresh for the road race that was three days later.
My duty in this was that of a team support member; I was responsible for obtaining bottles and assisting in positioning our team leader, Evan Oliphant, for the ascents. Following a flat tyre, my final duty in the race was to assist Alex Coutts in getting back with the main group. After this, the race got underway, and I quickly found myself behind the pack.
At the time, I had the impression that the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 would be the first of many that I would attend. Sadly, there was no mountain bike event held in Delhi in 2010, and I could not meet the requirements to compete in Glasgow in 2014. In retrospect, I wish I had finished the mountain bike race and the road bike race that were held in Melbourne since I’d rather have a finish placing against my name than a DNF (did not finish) (Did Not Finish).
I recently came across the piece of advise that each race should be run as if it were your final one. I can only lament the fact that I did not realise this in 2006.
