Tributes paid to mountain bike and cyclocross legend Steve Tilford after death at age 57
The MTB hall of famer was killed in a tragic road accident on Wednesday morning

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The cycling community is morning the loss of cyclocross and mountain bike legend Steve Tilford, 57, of Topeak, Kansas, who was killed in the early morning hours of Wednesday in eastern Utah while travelling home to Denver from a San Diego training camp.
“The incident happened about 12.30 am when a semitrailer on I-70 drifted off the right shoulder, overcorrected while getting back on the road and tipped onto its side, blocking two of the eastbound lanes,” said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce.
The overturned semi came to a rest on it’s side, blocking the eastbound lanes of interstate 70 at mile marker 214.
Minutes later, a Mercedes-Benz sprinter van driven by Tilford drove into the semi. Tilford and his passenger Vincent Davis were initially hurt, but able to get out of their vehicle and inspect the damage.
While standing next to their vehicle, a second semi, driven by 70-year-old Stanley Williams of Grand Junction, Colorado crashed into the initial overturned semi still blocking the interstate, then hit the sprinter van and Tilford, ultimately killing him.
Williams also died from injuries at the scene of the accident.
Davis was treated at a hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado and later release with minor injuries. The driver of the first semi was reportedly uninjured.
Tilford, inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2000, was a five-time masters’ world mountain bike champion and two-time masters’ world cyclocross champion.
He had been an active racer across multiple disciplines since 1975 and in 1983, even held the US hour record on the track.
Some of those in the cycling community paid tribute to Tilford after the news broke.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
-
-
Durango to host Sepp Kuss homecoming celebration on October 19
The La Vuelta winner will be welcomed back to his hometown with a good old-fashioned American jubilee on October 19
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘The stress just doesn’t stop’ - 25-year-old British pro to retire
Charlie Quarterman cites contract uncertainty, health issues, and physical demands of elite competition as reasoning behind retirement decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Toon Aerts sends ‘big and heartfelt middle finger’ to UCI after doping suspension
29-year-old handed two-year ban last week after failing to prove innocence
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Toon Aerts facing two-year ban for letrozole positive
Belgian cyclocross star vows to fight two-year ban and hopes to race again in 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'We all deserve an opportunity' - riders react as two trans women finish in CX Nationals top 5
What does the sixth place finisher think? “I think we all raced well."
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
CW LIVE: Is the love affair between Geraint Thomas and Oakley no more? Ineos Grenadiers to partner with SunGod for coming season; Tadej Pogačar's shiny new Colnago; new kit for Israel-Premier Tech in 2023 and Geraint Thomas confirms Giro return
The latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW LIVE: Buy Wout van Aert's bike; Olympian's assault charges dismissed; Zwift bans race hacker; 89-year-old wins national CX title; Williams completes Israel-Premier Tech roster; Bike lane roundabout dubbed 'ring of fire'
The latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Report suggests US cyclo-cross nationals will be targeted by protests
USA Cycling say that all fans will have to abide by their code of conduct
By Adam Becket Published
-
Barbie, Beetlejuice and bikes: The best costumes from Herne Hill Halloween cyclo-cross race
Rapha-sponsored event brought spine-chilling racing back to South London
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Dublin chosen over London for round of 2022-23 UCI Cyclocross World Cup
Organisers hope UK event can be added to schedule for 23-24 season
By Adam Becket Published