19-year-old dies in Redlands training crash while previewing TT course

13 March 2019 06:05
Tragedy struck the Redlands Bicycle Classic on Monday morning when a rider who was previewing the stage 1 time trial course died after colliding with a vehicle that turned in front of him. Tate Meintjes, 19, was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Hospital, according to a statement the race released late on Tuesday evening. Meintjes, who rode for Team California, was with a group of riders who were previewing a downhill section of the out-and-back course the day before the race, starting with a descent on Sand Canyon Road outside of Redlands in southern California. Meintjes collided with an automobile when the vehicle's driver turned suddenly into his path. Meintjes suffered major injuries when he crashed through the vehicle's window. An emergency room doctor who was riding her bicycle nearby was quickly on the scene and administered CPR before Meintjes was transported to the hospital. The California Highway Patrol told the Redlands Daily Facts that Meintjes was following a Honda Accord that was travelling in the same direction when the crash occurred.ADVERTISEMENT "The Honda made a U-turn directly into the path of the cyclist and the cyclist crashed into the Honda," the CHP said. The crash was reported at 10:52 a.m., according to the CHP. Meintjes, of Reno, Nevada, started racing mountain bikes in 2013 and excelled as a junior, winning the Pro XCT race in the 17-18-year-old category in Fontana in 2017 and then following it with third in the Pro XCT in Bonelli. His results garnered the attention of USA Cycling, which sent him to the Canada Cup later that year. He joined California's Bear Development Team in 2018 and enrolled at the University of Nevada in Reno to study mechanical engineering. Meintjes took up road racing at the end of last season and joined Team California this year, most recently finishing third in the Bariani Road Race in Zamora, California. — Redlands Classic (@redlandsClassic) March 12, 2019 You can read more at Cyclingnews.com.readfullarticle

Source: Cycling News