Rab Wardell: who was cyclist who has died at 37 of cardiac arrest, and what did partner Katie Archibald say?

Scottish mountain biker Rab Wardell has passed away just days after he won the Scottish MTB XC Championships.

He won the elite men’s title at Kirroughtree Forest on Sunday (21 August), overcoming several punctures in order to win on the final lap.

Wardell appeared on BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme on Monday (22 August) to talk about his victory before dying at age 37 later that night.

Who was Rab Wardell?

Wardell was a Scottish mountain biker whose career included highlights like representing Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in 2006, racing on every continent, being a UCI XCO World Cup racer and setting the fastest known time for mountain biking the West Highland Way in 2020.

He was born in Dunfermline in Scotland on 15 June 1985, where he stayed until his early 20s.

Wardell, who turned pro earlier this year, learned how to ride a bike at a young age, however he didn’t take up mountain biking as a sport until he was 15 - and quickly fell in love with it.

He claimed the elite men’s title at the Scottish MTB XC Championships in Dumfries and Galloway at the weekend, appearing on The Nine on Monday evening to talk about how he had to overcome several punctures in order to win.

Wardell said: “It was a bit of a disaster, but I just have to keep on trucking and keep racing.

“I guess I still felt confident that I’d be able to catch the leaders and win so I just gave it my best shot - what more can you do?”

He shared pictures from his time on The Nine on his Instagram account, with the caption: “A pleasant surprise to be asked onto @bbcscotnine tonight to talk @sxc.mtbseries champs, mountain biking, @uci_cyclingworlds and more [scotland flag emoji, bike emoji]”

As well as cycling, Wardell founded his own coaching business, called Wardell Cycle Coaching.

When did he die?

Two days after winning the Scottish championship, Wardel passed away in his sleep at age 37, on Tuesday 23 August.

At 7:12pm on 23 August, Scottish Cycling tweeted: “We are devastated to confirm the news that international mountain biker & former employee, Rab Wardell, has passed away today.

“We have very little information at this stage, but we send out love & support to his family, friends & those in our community who knew him.

“We ask that you respect Rab’s family’s privacy at this incredibly sad time.”

What did Katie Archibald say on Twitter?

Wardell’s partner, fellow cyclist and Olympic gold medalist Katie Archibald, explained on Twitter that he had gone “into cardiac arrest” whilst they were in bed together, and how both she and the paramedics attempted to save him.

In a thread of tweets, Archibald wrote: “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.”

Tributes for Rab Wardell

Following the news of his death, figures from the cycling community shared their condolences online.

The Scottish Cross Country Association wrote on its Facebook: “We have the saddest news to share with you all today. We are devastated to relay to you the tragic news that our friend, our Champion Rab Wardell, has died overnight.

“Our deepest sympathy to his friends, family and loved ones. He will be truly missed by our community and his determination, talent and friendship will live on in all our hearts and memories.

“I’m sure more eloquent words will be written by many, but RIP Rab.

“Our Champion, Our Inspiration, Our Friend.”