Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke has died in Senegal at the age of 34 .
Belgian cyclist passes away in Senegal
Frank Vandenbroucke has died in Senegal at the age of 34.
The cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed but the Belgian media have suggested he suffered a pulmonary embolism.
Vandenbroucke, from Mouscron in Belgium, won 54 races during a professional career that started in 1993.
His best year came in 1999 with victory at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege and two stages of the Tour of Spain.
"Frank was a super talent, yet difficult to coach," his former coach Jose De Cauwer told Belgian newspaper
De Morgen.
"But Frank was a very good guy, someone with a good soul. However, many people were jealous of his talent.
"It is unfortunate that he would have done little with it, and now this happens, at the age of 34. This is much too young, Frank has done absolutely nothing to deserve this."
Vandenbroucke had retired earlier this season following a career punctuated by drug problems and allegations.
