Aussie endurance bike champ dead

Canberra elite mountain biker and former world solo 24-hour champion James Williamson has reportedly died while competing in South Africa.

The Cape Argus newspaper reported that Williamson, 26, died in Ceres in the Western Cape province while competing in the 722-kilometre Absa Cape Epic stage race, one of the highlights of the international endurance cross-country mountain biking calendar.

Williamson could not be roused on Tuesday morning by teammate Shaun Lewis, reports said. He was taken to Ceres Private Hospital but was pronounced dead at 6.47am local time (3.47pm yesterday AEDT).

Williamson, one of Canberra's most successful mountain biking exports and a respected cycling journalist, was competing in a two-man team with Lewis, co-sponsored by Enduro magazine, of which he was editor, and Canberra design company Swell.

The pair had finished stage two of the race in 22nd place on Monday and Williamson, writing on his blog, appeared to be relishing the experience.

“Wow, what a day! The start saw us hit up a cobbled climb through a winery before a brief flat section and then yet more climbing, and more, and more … then we were in some awesome singletrack before a long steady climb up to Water Point 1. In between sucking up the pain in my legs as I clung to Shaun's wheel, I was able to take in the scenery below as we wound our way up the valley. It was sensational and riding in a bunch of guys from all over the world, a new experience for me,” he wrote.

Williamson's sponsor Giant bicycles MTB team manager Martin Clucas said the 26-year-old was incredibly fit, having completed 24-hour races, marathons and several Olympic-distance events.

"James was obviously an elite athlete in the prime of his life," Mr Clucas said this afternoon.

"To sum James up as simply one of the nicest guys you will ever come across is no exaggeration. Always happy to go the extra mile for his sponsors.

"He was exceptionally talented and this combined with his courage and ability to dig deep brought him great success."

Mr Clucas said Williamson had recently spoken of his excitement heading into the South African event.

"James was thrilled to be competing in this event, James used the words 'incredible' to describe his trip in an email sent to sponsors, friends and family," he said.

"James was approachable, committed, happy to go the extra mile, mature beyond his years and an incredibly well respected member of the MTB community."

International media director of the Cape Epic race Sonja Güldner-Hamel told BikeRadar.com: "James was a very enthusiastic mountain bike journalist who had expressed interest to ride the race over the last few years. 2010 was the year that he could fit it into his publishing schedule and he was thrilled to finally be participating in the race.

"After yesterday's Stage 2 through singletrack paradise he was all smiles, repeatedly expressing how he enjoyed yesterday's route. He'll be deeply missed in the mountain biking media fraternity."

In 2006 Williamson won the Australian 24-hour solo title. In 2008 he won the World Solo 24-hour mountain bike Championships in Canmore, Canada. While competing with Lewis as part of a four-man team in October he also won the 2009 Scott 24-hour race at Mount Stromlo.

Williamson moved to the ACT from the Southern Highlands to study journalism at the University of Canberra. He was a passionate advocate of Canberra as a riding destination and an enthusiastic proponent of the city’s bid to host the 2009 Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out either in South Africa or Australia to determine the cause of death. Members of Williamson’s family are due to arrive in South Africa today.