OLYMPIC champion Katie Archibald, the partner of mountain biker Rab Wardell who tragically passed away on Tuesday, has said she "can't describe the pain" of losing him.
The 37-year-old Glaswegian died just two days after winning the elite men's title at the Scottish MTB XC Championships.
And Archibald, who won the team pursuit title at the 2016 Olympic Games, has now spoken out about the unimaginable grief she is feeling.
Speaking on social media, she said: "I think you've heard that Rab died yesterday morning.
"I still don't understand what's happened; if this is real; why he'd be taken now – so healthy and happy.
"He went into cardiac arrest while we were lying in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back.
READ MORE IN SPORT
I’m the ball boy Hazard kicked… now I’m worth £40m thanks to vodka
Fury demands HALF A BILLION for Usyk fight but would have faced AJ for free
"Mine stopped with it. I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he's gone. I can't describe this pain.
"Thank you to those making tributes. I can't bear to talk about him in the past tense to say anything myself. You mean everything to me, Rab. I love you."
Wardell had appeared on BBC Scotland on Monday night following his against the odds victory at the mountain bike championships.
He won the title despite suffering three punctures during the race.
Most read in Cycling
Tributes paid to Rab Wardell, 37, as bike champion dies 2 days after winning title
Watch Team GB cyclists suffer horror crash in team sprint at Euro Champs
I feared my kids would be KILLED after cyclist Walls crashed into us
Commonwealth star Walls reveals wounds from hospital after horror crash
Following his passing, a statement from British Cycling read: "Everybody at British Cycling is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Rab Wardell.
"Rab was a brilliant rider, friend and ambassador for our sport, and will be sorely missed by so many. Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this incredibly difficult time."
While the Scottish Cross Country Association said: "Our deepest sympathy to his friends, family and loved ones.
"He will be truly missed by our community and his determination, talent and friendship will live on in all our hearts and memories.
"I'm sure more eloquent words will be written by many but RIP Rab. Our Champion, Our Inspiration, Our Friend."
And Scottish former cyclist David Millar tweeted: "So very sad to learn of @RabWardell leaving us. Properly hard to comprehend."
Source: Read Full Article
