Dutch amateur Gijs Verdick dies in hospital following cardiac arrests

Gijs Verdick, 21, has passed away after suffering two cardiac arrests at a race in Poland last week

Photo: Jo Piels Cycling Team

A week after Gijs Verdick suffered two cardiac arrests (opens in new tab) at a race in Poland, his Cycling Team Jo Piels have announced that the Dutch amateur has passed away in hospital.

The 21-year-old reportedly suffered the first at 1am on Tuesday, May 3 while at the Carpathian Couriers Race - an under 23 event, where Team Wiggins were also competing.

Then, in hospital, he suffered a second arrest and was placed into an artificial coma. He was reportedly transferred from Tarnówhospital in Poland to the Isala hospital in Zwolle, Netherlands, where he died on Monday.

Cycling Team Jo Piels' original statement read (opens in new tab): “[On Tuesday morning], 21-year-old Gijs Verdick, cyclist on the Cycling Team Jo Piels, had a heart attack at around 01:00. Gijs repeatedly was resuscitated and taken to hospital. In hospital, he had a second heart attack and he also incurred brain damage from lack of oxygen."

The team reports (opens in new tab) that Verdick has donated his organs to save the lives of other people.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.