Teenage Cyclist Dies In Horrific Crash In Spain, Families In Shock

Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 19:23 IST

Ivan Melendez Luque, 17, died after a crash in the Junior Tour of Spain. The race was cancelled, and tributes were held in Aranda del Duero.

Cylists community mours the death of 17-year-old Ivan Melendez Luque.

A 17-year-old Spanish cyclist, Ivan Melendez Luque, died after a major crash during the second stage of the Junior Tour of Spain on Saturday.

Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported that Luque was among approximately 20 riders involved in the crash during the race’s queen stage between Langa de Duero and Laguna Negra.

The incident occurred around 12:30 pm. A total of 18 riders were hospitalised in Soria, and three of them, including Luque, were in critical condition.

The hospital later confirmed that Luque had succumbed to his injuries. The conditions of the other two critical riders have not been disclosed.

Luque, 17, was a last-minute addition to the Vuelta Ciclista Junior Ribera del Duero, substituting for an injured teammate. Local reports indicated that over a dozen other cyclists fell on top of him after he suffered a tyre blowout and fell off his bike.

Emergency medical responders at the scene were unable to revive him despite multiple attempts both at the crash site and in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

The organisers announced on Saturday evening that the remainder of the race was being cancelled. A tribute was held on Sunday morning in Aranda del Duero.

“We send all our love and support to the athlete’s family and friends. Tomorrow at 10.30am local time we will gather in the Hispanidad Square in Aranda de Duero to pay tribute to him," they said.

Alfonso Fernandez Manueco, President of the Castilla and Leon region where the event was staged, expressed on X: “All my affection and support for the family, friends and companions and to Spanish cycling."

The International Cycling Union (UCI) and its president, David Lappartient, were “deeply saddened" by Melendez’s death and extended their condolences to “his family, friends and the cycling community."

Luque is the second junior cyclist to die during a race this year, following 19-year-old Italian Samuele Privitera, who was competing in the Tour of Aosta Valley in Italy.

Last year, Norwegian Andre Drege lost his life during a descent in the Tour of Austria, and young Swiss rider Muriel Furrer died after a crash during the U23 road race at the World Championships in Zurich.

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First Published:

August 24, 2025, 19:23 IST

News sports Teenage Cyclist Dies In Horrific Crash In Spain, Families In Shock

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