World cycling champion Stagurskaya killed by car during training

World champion cyclist 2000 Zinaida Stagurskaya has been knocked down by a car while training ride in the Belarusian city of Vitebsk, near the border with Russia and Latvia. The sportswoman was hit by a Honda which was driving down the wrong side of the road. 

The accident took place on June 25 on the Vitebsk-Gomel road.

“It was a normal day, and a normal training session. We were preparing for the Belarusian Cycling Championship.” Zinaida Stagurskaya’s coach Vladimir Pechorin said. “I was driving a car in front of Zina, she was riding her bicycle behind. To be honest, I can hardly picture what happened. A smooth road, good weather…Some car was driving fast from the opposite direction. And when it drew up with me the driver got onto the other side of the road and literally demolished Zina.”

The car was travelling at more that 140 kilometers per hour. According to traffic police the driver of the car, a young Russian woman, had fallen asleep and lost control of her vehicle.

“It’s a colossal bereavement. This tragic incident has taken the life of one the most outstanding stars of the sports world and the best Belarusian cyclist ever.” Belarusian Minister for Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy, Alexander Grigorov, said.

38 year-old Zinaida Stagurskaya was a member of Vitebsk Cycling team and had been preparing for the Belarusian Championships. She won the World Cup in 2000 and the women’s Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 2001.

Last year cyclist Denis Kudashev died in a collision with a car during a training ride in his hometown of Penza, 625 km south-east of Moscow.