The cycling community is in mourning after it was reported former Tour de France rider Walter Beneteau has died.
Reports emerged on Sunday that Beneteau, 50, was found dead at a hotel in Bali, Indonesia, though the exact cause of death remains unknown. Beneteau featured in and finished seven straight editions of the Tour de France between 2000 and 2006.
"It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of our friend and former champion Walter Beneteau at the age of 50," read a tweet from the UNCP, the organisation overseeing professional cyclists in France. "Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP Wawa."
Beneteau made his professional debut as part of the Castorama team in 1995 before enjoying some breakout success around the turn of the century. The Vendee native completed arguably his most successful year in 2000 when he won the Boucles de l'Aulne - which he won again in 2003 - and the Chateauroux Classic.
The Frenchman displayed rare consistency on the Tour by finishing every year in which he participated, attaining a career-best finish of 42nd in 2001. He represented the Bonjour (2000-2002), Brioche-la-Boulangere (2003-2004) and Bouygues Telecom (2005-06) teams before retiring in 2006.
Despite never reaching the pinnacle of cycling, fans flocked to send their condolences following news of Beneteau's apparent death. "Gone too soon," wrote one admirer. "Rest in peace."
"It is with deep sadness that we have just learned of the death of Walter Beneteau," read a post from Team Totalenergies. "He was a rider with a big heart who was part of the Team family. He will forever remain in our memories. The team sends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."
One fan described the late Frenchman as "a rider with panache, a sensitive man with a big heart" on Twitter. Local authorities in Indonesia are yet to release any specific details regarding Beneteau and the circumstances related to his death.
