Former cyclist Lieuwe Westra passed away at the age of forty | Cycling

Westra abruptly put an end to his career at the beginning of 2017 due to depression. Since then, according to his biographer Thomas Sijtsma, he was still struggling with life. “The former cyclist fought with himself in recent years and lost,” writes Sijtsma on Twitter.

Westra was found on Saturday afternoon at his business premises in Zwaagdijk. An attempt at resuscitation was unsuccessful, the family said Leeuwarder Courant.

“In recent years, Lieuwe has been through a tough time. The end of his cycling career and life as a professional was hard for him. We like to remember him as the cyclist, the Beast, during the happiest moments of his life. Immovable and strong”, responds his family.

Westra achieved his greatest successes between 2011 and 2014. Then he won stages in Paris-Nice, the Dauphiné and the Tour of Catalonia, among others. He also won the Dutch time trial title twice. In total he wrote thirteen races to his name.

During his career, the former Vacansoleil-DCM, Astana and Wanty-Groupe Gobert rider started the Tour de France five times. He made it to Paris three times. In 2014 he rode the Tour for Astana in the service of winner Vincenzo Nibali.

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