Magnus White rising US cycling star, 17, killed while training in Boulder, Colorado after being hit from behind by female driver, 23. Speed and alcohol were not a factor. Cause of crash not given.
Rising cycling star Magnus White was killed over the weekend after the cycling athlete was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by a 23 year old female during a training session.
The U.S. National team member, 17, was hit and killed by a car on a training route in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado on Saturday, the Associated Press reported.
White was struck by a Toyota Matrix driven by a 23-year-old woman just after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Daily Mail reported citing the Colorado State Patrol.
Cause of crash not specified
The collision forced White and his bike off the road and into a fence where his bike came to rest.
The identity of the driver was not made public. Colorado State Patrol say speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash. Police did not indicate what caused the crash, with the female driver to date not facing any charges.
‘It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the news that 17-year-old Magnus White has passed away in a training accident,’ USA Cycling said in a statement released Sunday.
White’s death comes as he was due to compete at the Junior Men’s Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships next month.
White according to USA Cycling had been ‘focused on his final preparations before leaving for Glasgow, Scotland’ for the competition at the time of his death.
White began cycling at the age of 8 upon joining the Boulder Junior Cycling in 2014. In 2021, he won the Junior 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships and soon after joined the European Cyclo-cross Championships.
Last October, the promising cyclist rode in the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championship in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and in January, he competed in the Cyclocross World Championships in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.
A rising star brought rudely back to earth
White’s last social media post was made on July 18. ‘Junior Tour of Ireland 2023,’ he wrote in the caption as he shared a photo of himself cycling in Ennis, Ireland.
‘First ever stage race went well with a top 5 in the GC even after the stage where I would be the strongest got canceled cuz of rain. Huge shoutout to all the teamates for great support all week and all had great rides. Huge thank you to @boulderjuniors and @garysheehan24 for all the support’
‘Next up Scotland for MTB Worldchamps with @usacycling 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸,’ the teen had added.
White was described as a ‘bright and talented’ teen whose ‘greatest joy in life was cycling’ on a GoFundMe page set up for his family to help them honor him. The page, created by Christine Lipson, who is mom to one of White’s friends and teammates, has already raised more than $70,700.
‘Magnus was taken from us while doing what he loved most, riding his bike,’ Lipson wrote on the page. ‘Magnus’s family is strong, but support from their community will go a long way to give them time to grieve.’
‘Magnus leaves behind his parents Jill and Michael and his brother Eero and countless friends worldwide. The family will use any contributions as needed for support of moving through this tragic period,’ she continued.
‘Please join us in remembering Magnus and supporting his family during this difficult time,’ Lipson concluded.
