Cyclists on Chapmans Peak during the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour has confirmed that a cyclist died, due to a suspected heart attack, during Sunday’s event.

“It is with deep sadness that the Cape Town Cycle Tour has to announce the passing of a participant during the 2026 event due to a suspected cardiac arrest,” the Cycle Tour said in a statement released.

“We would like to extend our condolences to his friends and family members. We ask the public to please respect their privacy at this difficult time.”

No further information has been shared at this time, with the Cape Town Cycle Tour saying that more information could not be divulged.

The Cape Town Cycle Tour saw more than 30 000 participants riding the roads of the city, which was closed down for the 109km full route as well as the shorter 42km route.

There were no deaths at last year’s event but the physical toll the extended riding (participants are given seven hours to complete the race) takes means that it is sometimes marred by death.

The last reported death at the event took place in 2023, while in 2018, two riders and a marshall died.

Ryan Gibbons and Lisa Bone won the men’s and women’s elite races, respectively. Gibbons finished in the 109km route around the peninsula in 2:33:06.

Bone, meanwhile, completed the women’s elite 78km race in 2:06:26.

READ | ‘Perfect ending’: Cape Town Cycle Tour’s maiden winners celebrate

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