Former world champion, Claude Criquielion, died this morning, after suffering a stroke on Sunday.
The 58-year old Belgian had been hospitalized since he was stricken, and remained in critical condition until his death this morning.
"At the request of the family, we inform you with sadness that Mr. Claude Criquielion died today at 9am in the General Municipal Hospital, campus in Aalst of a severe brain haemorrhage,” read the hospital’s statement.
Criquielion was born in 1957 in Lessines, Belgium and raced professionally from 1979 until 1991, for such prestigious teams as KAS, Splendor and Lotto.
His most notable accomplishments included winning the 1984 World Championships, the Belgian championship in 1990, as well as the 1987 Tour of Flanders, Fleche Wallone in 1985 and 1989 and the San Sebastian Classic in 1984.
Many remember how the Criquielion almost added another world championship title to his career in 1988, when he was leading a sprint finish down the final stretch in Renaix, when he collided with Canadian Steve Bauer, which allowed Italian Maurizio Fondriest to go on and unexpectedly take the rainbow jersey.
RIP Claude !
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