British cyclist dies after fall on Costa Blanca road; police investigate
Man on a road racer died after coming off his bike near Gran Alacant, with authorities examining whether a health issue contributed
A British cyclist has died after falling from a racing bike on Spain’s Costa Blanca, prompting a police investigation. The man was riding on a busy road along Mediterranean Avenue in the Gran Alacant area, just south of the city of Alicante, when the incident occurred yesterday morning. Witnesses said he had not been struck by a car and appeared to have fallen while riding uphill on the hill near the sea. Emergency crews and local authorities responded, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened along a coastal stretch near Carabassi Beach in the Santa Pola municipality. Police, the Civil Guard and emergency medical responders were deployed to the area. The cyclist’s identity has not been released, and it was not immediately clear whether he lived locally or was visiting the area. A local newspaper in Santa Pola reported that investigators were examining whether the rider suffered a sudden health issue before or during the fall. Civil Guard officers were photographed removing the Cannondale road racing bike from a grassy embankment beside the road.
In Mallorca, Spain’s Balearic Islands, there have been other recent incidents involving British cyclists. In April, Phillip Williams, a 39-year-old Briton, died while competing in the Mallorca 312 amateur cycling event after a fall on the road between Esporles and Valldemossa. The race drew participants from around the world, including several high-profile riders. In May, a 54-year-old British woman was seriously injured in a bicycle accident on the island, on the Ma-10 road near the village of Fornalutx, and was hospitalized. These incidents underscore the dangers cyclists face in popular holiday destinations and recent attention to safety amid growing tourism and cycling activity in Spain.
Authorities have not released further details about the Costa Blanca case. The investigation continues as officials determine whether any factors beyond the fall contributed to the cyclist’s death. The Costa Blanca coast remains a popular destination for both locals and visitors who come for its scenic routes and beaches, and the incident is likely to prompt scrutiny of safety measures on busy coastal roads.