Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37

Terrible news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Wow - shocking, RIP Rab - condolences to all who knew him.

this is terrible. followed him for a while, an inspiring chap, setting goals and achieving most, but being very vocal about mindset, challenges and expectations.

I'm genuinely shocked by this news. condolences to his family and all that knew him

Absolutely speechless. Condolences to those close to him

No no no no no...this isn't right...

That's awful; he literally just won the XC at Kirroughtree.

Poor guy, loved his WHW video and had been following him online for ages.

That is shit news. RIP Rab.

Shocking news, was talking to him yesterday. Cannot believe it.

Tragic! He’ll forever be remembered as one of mtbs legends. Thoughts and condolences to his family and friends 😢😭😤

Speechless - that's really shocking news!

Gutted to hear this terrible news. I got to know Rab through Instagram posts and messages and he was inspiring me to set goals and so supportive and friendly. #BeMoreRab

Sad news at such a young age. RIP

I only chatted to him a couple of times but he was so obviously a good guy, very sad to hear it.

RIP Rab. I'm in shock reading this news. Happy trails wherever they may be

Just had the phonecall from a mutual friend. So sad. He'd just managed to turn pro and hit the big time for him. Something terribly tragic about this.

I only chatted to him a couple of times but he was so obviously a good guy, very sad to hear it.

Very much this for me, just casually asked to borrow an Allen key in the car park at a race as he was getting ready and he had all the time in the world to chat. Genuinely nice guy, horrible news.

That is terrible news,very sad.

Had some good rides with Rab. He was indeed a legend 🙁

Absolutely heartbreaking and shocking. A true gentleman and awesome competitor.

Awful news, and so hard to take in - he seemed to be in his best form physically and mentally in a long time and clearly loving life.
Just awful.

Sad news, didn't know him but did a course when he was working at Dirtschool Seemed a genuinely nice bloke an d a really good teacher.

Utterly speechless. Never knowingly met Rab but know plenty who have and never a bad word spoken about him.

Condolences to his family and all who knew him.

Was just listening to him on the Downtime podcast on Saturday. RIP Rab

Unbelievably sad to hear this. I ran into Rab a lot and without fail he'd always stop for a 20 minute+ chat. One of the real good guys and his bike exploits were truly inspirational.

This is unbelievably tragic! Such desperately sad news. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends 🙏

I just heard the news about 10mins ago from a mutual friend. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a fundraiser earlier this year where he talked about his WHW ride. Later on we chatted about cycling and local facilities. A very down to earth guy.
RIP Rab and condolences to his family and friends

Awful awful news. A pleasure to see him out on the local lanes on the south side of Glasgow. A winner in every sense. Gutted for his friends & family. RIP Rab.

Nothing I can really add that hasn’t already been said. Genuinely shocking news, did a proper double take reading the headline. He’s was very well known and liked figure in the Scottish cycling scene.

So sad. I knew Rab a very little bit and it was always a pleasure to talk to him. A really nice and genuine guy. I can’t believe this news. I’ve followed his rides, races and adventures and been inspired. Such a loss for our community. You will be missed Rab, you inspired and influenced more people than you could have imagined. RIP.

This is desperately sad for his friends and family. My condolences won't mean much but I offer them anyway.

I never met Rab but as someone who's raced XC in Scotland over the last fifteen years he's been a real inspiration to a lot of people. It was his exploits in 2020 that led me have a go at doing the WHW in a decent time in a day.

I didn't know him really but we were chatting one day at Glentress whilst we were both waiting on clients, he was worried about his shins as he had started messing about on BMX. The next day I gave him some old shin pads.

It reminds me of my friend Elliott who drove the uplift at inners. He passed away in his sleep at a similar age.

Someone I knew well, he did a great job with us at Glasgowriderz and was a true inspiration to the young riders. Thoughts are with the family and Katie 😢

Horrendous news. Taken far too young. Condolences to his family and friends.

Terribly sad news. Loved the WHW video - never met him but he came across as a lovely guy.
Condolences and best wishes to all affected.

Absolutely gutting news.

Crammed a lot into his life on the bike - raced in every discipline, Scottish champion, went to the commonwealth games, raced for GB, coached hundreds if not thousands of kids (some of whom are now on the world stage), and now with the wahoo sponsorship and video series.

I only knew him a little bit but anytime i'd see him he'd make me feel like an old friend. Just a genuinely lovely guy and the Scottish cycling scene, whether it be competitive or just riding bikes for fun, is going to feel a whole lot emptier without him there 🙁

So gutted for his family, friends and associates. Brilliant rider.

What a talent, really sad news.

Awful news.

Awful news, very sad. Condolences to his family and friends 🙁

I loved his attempt and video of the West Highland Way.

This is so sad. I met Rab a couple of times. He used to organise "mates races" at Cathkin Braes. Such a lovely guy and he was just an amazing rider. I was so pleased to see him winning again. And now this, utterly tragic.

RIP and sincere condolences to all those that knew him better than me.

Gone way too soon…..

RIP Rab, you were inspirational..

Incredibly sad news, RIP Rab.

This is really sad news, such a shock. I actually got chatting to Rab through Instagram a while back and he was more than helpful. Absolutely shocking.

absolutely terrible news - i am devastated and dont even know the guy - but damn he put some effort into the world of biking

a true legend id say - achieved alot and went a little under the radar really - really impressed with his latest comeback and videos on youtube

a very sad day someone so incredibly fit and healthy is gone just like that 🙁

Horrible news.

I didn't realise his partner is/was Katie Archibald. She has said on Twitter that it was a cardiac arrest, both she and paramedics worked on him to no avail.

Young athletes dying from heart problems is far too common. I really hope more research is being done into this.

This is absolutely heartbreaking! A lovely bloke and a fantastic rider! My heart goes out to his family and friends - he will leave a huge hole in the cycling community - especially amongst the Glasgow, Borders and Tweed Valley riders ...

Awful news. Inspiring rider.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/24/mountain-bike-rider-rab-wardell-dies-aged-37

Can't imagine what Katie must be going through.

There's quite a outpouring, from all angles. I imagine there'll be some send off.

Very sad news to read . A very insperational chap.

Can’t imagine what Katie must be going through.

I hadn't made the Katie Archibald connection, just realised it after reading the piece on the Beeb. Can't even get close to imagining.

Incredibly sad, RIP.

Very sad 🙁 RIP

I can't imagine what Katie Archibald is going through: must just be awful.

Didn't know Rab but have followed him since I first marshalled cyclo-X races at Plean in the early 2000s. He's always been part of the scene - and a genuinely nice bloke.

Can't claim any connection but Katie's soçial media post is heartbreaking.

Aw man, everything about this is just awful. Read Katie's stuff on the beed, absolutely heartbreaking. RIP Rob, and love to all the family

Had the pleasure of meeting and trying to compete against him at a couple of events in recent years. Genuinely nice bloke, very talented. Shocked. Condolences to friends and family.

Tragically sad and shocking news. An exceptionally talented and inspirational rider. My thoughts go out to all those close to him.