South African mountain biker Burry Stander died yesterday after being run-over by a motor vehicle on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast. It is believed the 25-year-old was hit by a taxi, and the driver was taken to the Port Shepstone police station afterward where a statement was taken. He will be charged with culpable homicide.

Stander represented us at both the Beijing and London Olympic Games. He also held the title of UCI Mountain Bike World Cup under-23 men’s cross-country champion in 2009, and won the Absa Cape Epic race with team partner Christoph Sauser last year and in 2011.

Last year Stander also married his long-time cycling girlfriend, Cherise Taylor.

According to Cycling SA spokeswoman Mylene Loumeau, Stander was out training when the accident happened. He was returning from a ride along Shelly Beach, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

I had seen him come through the ranks since 2006. He was a fantastic role model, and at the same time he was humble at it.

Accident reconstruction specialist Craig Proctor-Parker expressed outrage about the “shocking and unneccesary” death.

Somebody really needs to stand up and be counted in the government and make sure that all these ridiculous accidents are stopped. Stander’s loss is devastating to the country and his family, and cyclists’ safety needed to be addressed urgently.

[Source: BDLive]