Magnus White, a cyclist on USA Cycling’s junior men’s national team, died on Saturday after getting hit by a vehicle while training in Boulder, Colo. He was 17 years old. White’s parents, Michael and Jill, released a statement on Monday confirming the news.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of our beloved son, Magnus White,” the statement said, via NPR. “Magnus was dedicated to his family and friends and loved to surround them with laughter. He had an amazing smile that always lit up the room, bringing joy to those around him.”
White was hit by a 23-year-old woman driving a Toyota Matrix on the shoulder of Highway 119. White was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the woman was uninjured.
USA Cycling also released a statement in honor of White.
“White fell in love with cycling at an early age through Boulder Junior Cycling,” the statement said. “He was a rising star in the off-road cycling scene and his passion for cycling was evident through his racing and camaraderie with his teammates and local community.”
According to USA Cycling, White competed in many national races, including winning the Junior 17–18 Cyclocross National Championship in 2021. He also competed in the ’22 and ’23 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, along with competing for the USA National Team in a season of European Cyclocross racing.
White was training for the Mountain Bike World Championships in August. A GoFundMe was set up to help the family and has almost reached its goal of $100,000.
