We have little more information at this stage but according to our sources Rab died in his sleep on the 22nd August.
Yesterday Rab was featured on BBC Scotland discussing his achievements including his win in the senior category at the Scottish MTB XC Championships at the weekend. Previously Rab had won the Junior and U23 categories in the same series.
Rab Wardell got his first MTB in 1999 which kick started a long career in racing and eventually coaching. He has triumphed in a range of disciplines from XC to Enduro. Recently his focus turned to marathon racing.
Rab Wardell 1985 – 2022
So sorry to have just heard the news about Rab Wardell’s death. He’d just won the Scottish Cross Country Championships on the back of an impressive comeback to racing and apparently passed away in his sleep. Rab was a true all-rounder, racing XC, cross and Enduro with equal flair (and whipping an XC bike in my photo from ten years ago, or setting the FKT for the West Highland Way.) all while being humble and cheerful – and very, very fast.
Just as he had it all to look forward to, with us along for the ride, he was taken away. My love and sympathy goes out to his many friends, peers and his family. A true champ has left us.
Chipps Chippendale – Singletrack Editor At Large
