Riders demand probe into cyclist's death

An international cycling body wants an investigation into the death of a Belgian cyclist who was hit by a motorbike after a fall in the Gent-Wevelgem race.

Belgian cyclist Antoine Demoitie

An international cycling body wants an investigation into the death of Belgian Antoine Demoitie. (AAP)

The Association of Professional Cyclists wants an urgent investigation into the death of Belgian Antoine Demoitie at the Gent-Wevelgem classic race over the weekend.

Demoitie's Wanty-Gobert team said the rider was hit by a motorbike following a fall during a section of the race in northern France on Sunday and the 25-year-old died in hospital.

"The CPA and all the riders demand that light is shed on the accident immediately and the circumstances that caused it," the association said in a statement on Monday.

CPA president Gianni Bugno, who won the world road race title in 1991 and 1992, said it was a time of "sadness and sorrow".

"We do not want to make controversy, but we have so much frustration inside," added the Italian.

"We have always stated that the safety of the riders must come first.

"I do not want to accuse anyone, but make everyone reflect on the responsibility we have to ensure that a very high level of attention and awareness is maintained plus control over safety standards during each race," Bugno said.

The 243-kilometre Gent-Wevelgem, which starts and ends in Belgium, was won by world road race champion Peter Sagan of Slovakia.


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Source: AAP



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