Former pro cyclist Lieuwe Westra passed away on Saturday afternoon. The Frisian has become 40 years old. In his active career he played for Vacansoleil-DCM and Astana. As a professional he won thirteen races, including two Dutch titles in the time trial. The cause of death is still unknown.

Lieuwe Westra died

It is with great dismay that Westra’s family reports that he was found on Saturday afternoon at his business premises in Zwaagdijk, North Holland. CPR was of no avail. The last few years have been tough for Westra. He found it difficult to live with professional life and his retirement from the sport. After his career he married his Australian girlfriend, with whom he started a cycling hotel in Spain. The two had been divorced since last summer, the hotel was sold and Westra returned to Friesland.

Cycling career

Westra wasn’t the quickest rider in the peleton, but he always was a good one to have in the team. He always was ready to battle for the team. During his career he picked up 13 victories. He has won a stage in Paris-Nice and was part of a Tour de France winning Astana. At the end of his career he was a very proud man. He had the feeling he got everything out of his career.