A procession of bikes followed mountain biking star Rab Wardell on his final journey as he was laid to rest in Dunfermline today. The touching tribute saw many mourners from across the Scottish cycling world don their racing gear, while dozens lines the streets out of respect to the athlete.
The 37-year-old died just two days after winning the Scottish Cross Country Championship on August 21. His partner, Olympic champion Katie Archibald, tried desperately to resuscitate him before his sudden death, after fell into cardiac arrest while the pair were in bed.
Wardell, who was originally from Dunfermline but lived in Glasgow, appeared on BBC Scotland's The Nine the evening of his death to talk about his victory in the Scottish MTB XC Championships in Dumfries and Galloway.
A service for the sportsman was held at Dunfermline Crematorium at 1.15pm on Wednesday, September 7. Scottish Cycling told members to gather from 12.30pm to follow the cortege to the funeral, as directed by police.
Dozens of mourners could also be seen lining the streets as a final farewell. Many attending the funeral could be seen comforting each other following the shock passing of Wardell, who was in peak physical shape.
The funeral involved dozens of sunflowers as a tribute to Rab, with the bright flowers also lying across the top of his coffin. The former Commonwealth Games cyclist set a new record time for completing the West Highland Way in 2020.
Wardell had been racing mountain bikes since his early 20s, but only turned professional earlier this year. His win at Kirroughtree Forest last month was described as a "show of incredible resilience" by British Cycling after Wardell managed to catch the early race leaders to take the win.
Katie Archibald posted on Twitter about the heartbreaking incident in August, she said: "I think you've heard that Rab died yesterday morning. I still don't understand what's happened, if this is real, why he'd be taken now - so healthy and happy. He went into cardiac arrest while we were lying in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back. Mine stopped with it.
"I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he's gone. I can't describe this pain. Thank you to those making tributes. I can't bear to talk about him in the past tense to say anything myself. You mean everything to me, Rab. I love you."
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