Spanish Cyclist Dies from Heart Attack During Titan Desert Race in Morocco

The Spanish rider suffered a heart attack during the second stage of the Titan Desert race held on Monday between Merzouga and Ksar Jdaid (102 km), the organizers announced. "We have the deep sadness and pain to announce the death of the Aragonese Ernesto Escolano Gil, participant in this year’s edition of the race," they said in a statement.

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Escolano, from Sabiñánigo (Huesca), covered 82 km before suffering this heart attack. He was quickly taken care of by the race’s medical team who administered first aid before transferring him by helicopter to the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Marrakech, where he died.

"The participants, the medical team, the sponsors and the journalists present their condolences and express their affection to the bereaved family and friends," the organizers added. It should be recalled that the 2019 edition of the Titan Desert which took place in Dakar, had recorded the death of the Spanish rider Fernando Civera at the age of 46.