Spanish Cyclist Dies During Moroccan Desert Race, Sparking Safety Concerns

Escolano was a beloved and appreciated person in the Huesca community. His death is a great loss for the Spanish cycling world. Voices have been raised to denounce the conditions in which he died, leaving behind a widow and two children. Honduran cyclist Milton Ramos, a resident of Sabiñánigo and a friend of Escolano, tells El Mundo that he tried to dissuade the latter from participating in this competition, given the intense heat in the Moroccan desert and the lack of humanity shown by the organizers.

Milton Ramos challenged the version of the organizers who stated in a press release that the Aragonese was quickly transferred by helicopter to the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, where he died. "This is completely false. We all know that he was taken by the medical team at the end of stage 2 and transferred to the hospital hours later..." denounced Ramos, swearing that he will no longer participate in the Titan Desert and inviting athletes who have also had bad experiences during this Moroccan stage to tell their story.

"It seems that the only thing that interests them is to get the last penny you have in your pocket, which is why they have even invented their own coin... Please, let’s be reasonable and not seek to live an adventure in a place where if you have an accident, you will have a hard time," added the runner, nicknamed the Fox of the Desert.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, visiting Marrakech during the tragic incident, expressed his "condolences" to the bereaved family and friends. Similarly, the Minister of Education, Culture and Sports of the Government of Aragon, Felipe Faci, presented his "sincerest condolences" to the families and friends.