Pitch-black news from Spain: Dutch Age Group triathlete Franck van Graas passed away there late last month at the age of 62 after being struck from behind by a car during a training ride on Mallorca. Van Graas leaves behind a wife, a two-year-old daughter, and two older sons.
Van Graas was a successful Dutch Age Grouper who, among other achievements, competed three times in the Ironman World Championship on Kona – finishing thirteenth once in his then-age category M55-59. Additionally, in 2015, he became the Dutch Long Distance Champion (M50-54) during Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, where he also finished twentieth overall in a time of 9:17:51.
On Mallorca, however, things went tragically wrong when Van Graas was hit from behind during a bike ride; he was declared dead at the scene by emergency services. Van Graas was training on Mallorca in preparation for Ironman Klagenfurt, where he was set to compete on June 14.
The Spanish police are still investigating the fatal accident and have currently made no arrests. For Mallorca, this is yet another tragic accident in which cyclists have lost their lives or been seriously injured. Just two weeks before Van Graas’ death, a Polish cyclist suffered a fatal fall during the descent of Sa Calobra – a climb/descent with 26 hairpin bends – and last week, four Spanish cyclists were hit by a car; three of them were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Triathlon Today wishes the family and loved ones much strength with this big loss.