Last Updated on September 13, 2022
Scottish world champion cyclist Rob Wardell unexpectedly passed away at his home on August 23, just two days after winning the elite Scottish MTB XC Championships. Wardell, 37, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at his home.
“We are devastated to confirm the news that international mountain biker & former employee, Rab Wardell, has passed away today,” a statement from Scottish Cycling read, confirming Wardell’s passing. “We have very little information at this stage, but we send our love & support to his family, friends & all those in our community who knew him.”
Wardell had just turned pro earlier this year after a long amateur career that included a 2006 Commonwealth Games appearance.
His girlfriend, Katie Archibald, described how she desperately tried to save him after he became unresponsive. Archibald, 28, won medaled in team events at the Olympic games in Rio and Tokyo, has described the elite cyclist’s death as “sudden” and “unexpected.”
“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,” Archibald wrote in a tweet. “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.”
“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,” the grieving Archibald wrote.
arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back.
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… 2/
— Katie Archibald (@_katiearchibald) August 24, 2022
Wardell appeared on BBC Scotland’s The Nine just hours before his death, where he discussed his title win Kirroughtree Forest.
