Scottish cyclist Rab Wardell has died in his sleep at the age of 37 after becoming the national MTB XC champion late last week, The Guardian reports.

Rabbi WardellPhoto: britishcycling.org.uk

“We are devastated by the news that international mountain biker and former collaborator Rab Wardell has passed away today.” This was announced by the Scottish Cycling Federation.

Wordell’s partner, cyclist Cathy Archibald, said on Twitter that the athlete went into cardiac arrest on Tuesday morning.

“I think you heard that Reb died yesterday morning. I still don’t understand what happened, if it’s all real, why he was taken away from us – so healthy and cheerful. He had a heart attack while I was lying in bed. We kept trying and the paramedics arrived within minutes but his heart stopped and they couldn’t bring him back.’ Archibald notedquoted by News.ro.