Cycling: It should be another extremely exciting enduro race at world level. But what happened on the second day of the Enduro World Series in Crested Butte last weekend, no one could have guessed. 40-year-old Will Olson fell badly on stage three and succumbed to his injuries. The race was stopped immediately, thoughts are now with Olson's family and friends.
The fifth stop of this year's Enduro World Series was to be held in Crested Butte, Colorado last weekend. With the series touring Europe for the past few months, riders were ready to explore new terrain and Crested Butte as the new venue.
All eyes were on the two Yeti riders Jared Graves and Richi Rude. They were considered the big favorites on their sponsor's home soil. Rude won the last EWS in Samoens, France, a few weeks earlier and Graves was back in top form after a long injury, promising an exciting race. The first day of racing went flawlessly across the stage. Despite a fall, Jared Graves was able to lead the overall ranking after completing two stages and Anneke Beerten also managed to lead the GC for the first time.
However, the second day of racing turned out to be the biggest tragedy in enduro sport to date: an unknown rider fell on stage three. It was Will Olson who took a hard fall. Despite quick help from other drivers and the rescue workers, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident.
"It is with the deepest regret that Big Mountain Enduro and the Enduro World Series announce that there was a serious accident during Stage 3, the first stage of Saturday's race, resulting in the fatality of a competitor. The rider's family has been informed and the competitor's identity will be released in due course.
Emergency personnel immediately arrived at the scene. The competitor was treated on scene by medical personnel and transported to the nearest roadway. The Gunnison County medical examiner confirmed the fatality.
With respect for the rider and their family, this round of the Enduro World Series competition has been cancelled. Our deepest thoughts and sympathies go out to the rider's family." – Organization Crested Butte.
The mountain bike world mourns the passing of Will Olson and is thinking of family and friends. We in the editorial office are also shocked by the fatal incident and wish all relatives a lot of strength.