Sule Kangangi died after a crash at The Overland gravel race in Vermont on Saturday, the place the Kenyan bike owner was within the ultimate leg of a racing block in the US with Crew AMANI.
“We’re utterly heartbroken by the tragic dying of Suleiman “Sule” Kangangi throughout The Overland yesterday,” stated race organisers in an announcement on Instagram. ”He was a form pal and an inspiring and heroic athlete to his teammates and the gravel biking neighborhood at massive.
“We lengthen our deepest sympathies to his household, his associates, Crew AMANI, and the individuals of Kenya who’re mourning his loss at this time.”
The 33-year-old was the captain of Crew AMANI – a non-profit organisation that promotes inclusivity in biking and creates alternatives for riders primarily based in Africa – because it undertook the block of gravel racing in the US.
Kangangi, who had raced on the street for a few years earlier than turning his focus to gravel and off street occasions, began his US racing with the Leadville Path 100 MTB on August 13 earlier than becoming a member of his teammates – John Kariuki and Nancy Akinyi of Kenya and Jordan Schleck of Uganda – for SBT GRVL in Colorado on August 14, Gravel Worlds in Nebraska on August 20 and The Overland, which befell on Saturday August 27.
“Sule is our captain, pal, brother. He’s additionally a father, husband and son,” stated Crew AMANI on Instagram. “Gaping holes are left when large’s fall. Sule was a large.
“As a substitute of main us on the entrance of the pack, he’ll now lead us as our guiding pole star as we press ahead within the realization of his dream.
“Pumzika kwa amani Sule, you shall at all times be with us.”
A GoFundMe web page has been arrange with organisers saying the memorial fund will probably be devoted to supporting Sule’s spouse and kids.
“Sule Kangangi was not solely the Captain of Crew AMANI but in addition a frontrunner in African biking,” stated the web page. “His dream of bringing East African biking to the world was turning into a concrete actuality these previous couple of weeks as he had the chance to race within the US for the primary time.”
“After the ultimate race of this inaugural US go to, when the staff ought to have been celebrating John Kariuki’s win and Jordan Schleck’s third place, we discover ourselves in mourning, grappling with the large lack of an incredible bike owner and great human being.”
All the Cyclingnews staff extends deepest sympathies to Kangangi’s household, associates and teammates.
