Heartbreaking tributes to 15-year-old Charlie Craig, son of national cycling champion Nick Craig who died suddenly in his sleep
The death of Derbyshire rider Charlie Craig, who won the 2016 National Trophy Cyclo-cross Series, has stunned the cycling community
AN UP-AND-COMING 15-year-old rider who was the son of a national cycling champion has died suddenly, with his family saying that they are reeling from the tragedy.
Charlie Craig, from Derbyshire, who won the 2016 National Trophy Cyclo-cross Series, passed away on Friday.
His father Nick Craig said on Facebook: "Yesterday, our world fell apart.
"Our beautiful lovely little boy Charlie went to sleep but never woke up.
"I don't know what else to write just now, but he will be with his little angel niece."
The promising teenager was an apprentice level racer on the Great Britain Cycling Team's Rider Route, and looked set to enjoy a successful career.
He came from a family with a strong cycling tradition.
His father is a veteran National Trophy Cyclo-cross and National Cross-Country MTB Series champion and a former senior national champion.
Charlie's brother Tom is also a national junior cyclo-cross champion.
British Cycling programmes director Andy Harrison said: "Charlie was a promising young rider who had his whole life ahead of him.
"Everyone involved with the team is devastated by this news and, naturally, all of our thoughts are with Charlie's family."
Simon Burney, a former professional cyclo-cross racer who manages professional cyclo-cross and mountain bike teams, sent his condolences to the family and tweeted: "Right now nothing else seems important.
"Life is fragile."
British cyclo-cross champion Nikki Brammeier added: "This is just awful, so sad for such a lovely family, RIP Charlie".
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