Lieuwe Westra († 40) is dead
Ex-professional cyclist found dead in his office
Tragedy in Holland. Former professional cyclist Lieuwe Westra died at the age of 40. He was found lifeless in his office near the city of Enkhuizen on Saturday.
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Lieuwe Westra († 40) is dead.
The news of the death of Lieuwe Westra († 40) causes dismay. The former Astana driver was found dead in his office on Saturday. This is confirmed by his biographer Thomas Sijtsma and the Dutch media. The cause of death is still unknown.
Biographer Sijtsma writes on Twitter that Westra has been fighting depression in recent years: “Westra fought the battle with itself and has now lost it.” Despite the depression, however, he does not believe in suicide. “It has been very difficult for him in the past few months, but as far as we know, there is no talk of suicide.” Investigations into the cause of death are ongoing.
Many successes for the “animal”
Westra was born in 1982 and became a professional cyclist with the Vacansoleil team in 2009. In the same year he celebrated the overall victory of the Tour de Picardie. Because of his powerful driving style, he was given the nickname “animal”.
His first big success dates back to 2012. In the Paris-Nice long-distance cycle race, Westra came second behind Bradley Wiggins from Britain and ahead of Alejandro Valverde from Spain. In the same year, the Dutchman won the Tour of Denmark. This was followed by stage victories at the Tour of Catalonia and the Criterium du Dauphiné, and Westra was twice Dutch champion in the time trial.
Resignation due to mental problems
In 2017, Westra unexpectedly retired from cycling. “Personal reasons were decisive for this. Towards the end of his career, he justified his achievements in cycling with sentimental failure, among other things,” writes the Dutch national agency “ANP”.
Westra had admitted in his 2018 published biography, written by Thomas Sijtsma, that he had consumed cortisone – a substance banned under anti-doping regulations – during his cycling career. “I injected it to drive faster, win prizes and get compliments.” (par)
Find help here
Loneliness doesn’t have to be: The Swiss Red Cross (SRK) has a visiting and escort service for people living alone. The service is organized regionally by the Red Cross cantonal associations (www.redcross.ch). The Salvation Army also offers activities for single people, such as lunch (www.heilsarmee.ch). Seniors can ask Pro Senectute (www.prosenectute.ch). Advice is also available from the regional churches (Seelsorge.net). The Dargebotene Hand, Tel. 143 (www.143.ch), can also help. Young people can get help from Pro Juventute by calling the emergency number 147 (www.147.ch).
Loneliness doesn’t have to be: The Swiss Red Cross (SRK) has a visiting and escort service for people living alone. The service is organized regionally by the Red Cross cantonal associations (www.redcross.ch). The Salvation Army also offers activities for single people, such as lunch (www.heilsarmee.ch). Seniors can ask Pro Senectute (www.prosenectute.ch). Advice is also available from the regional churches (Seelsorge.net). The Dargebotene Hand, Tel. 143 (www.143.ch), can also help. Young people can get help from Pro Juventute by calling the emergency number 147 (www.147.ch).