SUAMICO — A 38-year-old Manitowoc man is dead after competing in a mountain bike race in Brown County.

According to the county sheriff’s department, Robert Schuette was cycling up a steep hill during the race at Brown County Reforestation Camp Sunday. He got off his bike and told a nurse that he couldn’t catch his breath.

WLUK-TV reports (http://bit.ly/SKjiFR) he was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. It says he suffered a heart attack.

More than 600 competitors took part in the 12-mile race organized by Wisconsin Off Road Series.

Earlier story
A competitor in a mountain bike race died Sunday after collapsing during the event at the Brown County Reforestation Camp.

The victim’s name was not immediately released, but the Brown County Sheriff’s Department described him as a 38-year-old Manitowoc man.

Lt. Chris Knurr said police were called about 12:30 p.m. after the man stopped at a first-aid station along the race route and collapsed. According to county sheriff’s department, the man was cycling up a steep hill when he got off his bike and told a nurse that he couldn’t catch his breath.

The man was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officials are investigating the cause of death.

The event organized by Wisconsin Off Road Series involved more than 600 child and adult competitors on a 12-mile course.

Organizer Shawn Hauser said to his knowledge it was the first death in more than 20 years of racing events by the group.