Ryan Cox mourned in South Africa and the world

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Tribute, August 2, 2007

April 9, 1979 - August 1, 2007

Tributes and comments on the death of Ryan Cox

Jason McBeath, Johannesburg, South Africa: "I am so shocked to hear of Ryan's death. I used to race with him as a junior here in SA, and I have always respected him as a rider and a person. My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family and especially Tammy."

Shaheen Philander, Cape Town, South Africa: "We have lost a great cyclist, SA has lost a great cyclist, Ryan will be deeply missed, but not forgotten. He was one of the friendliest guys in the peloton. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, fiancée and team-mates."

Stuart O'Grady, Team CSC :"I would like to pass on all my support to the Cox family in this extremely difficult moment they are going through."

"I was shocked when I heard about the news of Ryan, having had the same operation under the same surgeon."

"Life can never be taken for Granted and sometimes we will never understand the way it unfolds."

"I would like to send them my support, wishes and to try and remember ALL the positive and fantastic achievements that Ryan accomplished during his career as one of the greatest South African riders in history."

"Remember him for who he was & what he did. Stay strong."

Marco Valle, South Africa: "Ryan was a true South African cycling hero!! It is a loss for us all, he will be greatly missed."

"My sincere condolences to Ryan's fiancée Tammy and his family."

Simmons Family, Norfolk, England: "Our condolences to the family and friends of Ryan Cox. A talent now sadly left the cycling world."

Anthony McCrossan, Comentator Cycling TV : "All of the team at Cycling.tv extend our condolences to Ryan's family. The team here worked with Ryan on the Barloworld documentary 'bib shorts down' which featured him at his riding best. We also enjoyed meeting him at the Tour of Britain where he demonstrated his ability as a climber. He will be missed in the Cycling world."

James Louter, South Africa: "Ryan Cox - One the Good Guys".

"Ryan was one the good guys of cycling, a gentleman and a mate. The news of his passing is very hard to accept. My heart felt sympathies go out to the Cox family, his Fiancé and friends. He lived the dream and lived it well."

"Ryan, mate you never ever be forgotten."

Jeroen Swart, Sports Science Institute of South Africa: "Ryan was an individual that all young cyclists should aspire to emulate. Not only in his achievements but also in the humility and good nature he brought to the sport. My deepest sympathy and condolences to his family, friends, fiancé and team-mates. He will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Stefan Adamsson, former team-mate, Barloworld: "I can't believe it's true, it's so unreal. I rode with him 2004 and 2005 in Barloworld but have known him since his time in Cologne. He was a great friend and rider a really big loss for me and for the world of cycling."

Mark Spencer, South Africa: "An incredible athlete, but most of all, an incredible human being. Cox.. I will miss you!!!"

Gavin Smith South African in UK: "Ryan was just a little kid starting out as I remember him. He quickly made a huge impact and his win the TDL over some of the best climbers in the world indicated that something big for SA cycling was on the way. I've always followed his career and his memory will remain. Deepest heartfelt condolences to his family, fiancé and friends."

Sven Kleine: "I remember Ryan coming past me on a hill climb many years ago. He was flying. He'll keep on flying in our hearts and minds. Condolences to all those who knew and loved him."

Jabob, Pacific North West: "On behalf of myself and many cyclists from the Pacific Northwest, we extend our deepest condolences to the Cox family, Friends, Team Barloworld and the country of South Africa. Ryan Cox was a talent on the bike and fine ambassador off of it. We sincerely hope there are bikes in heaven so that Ryan can continue to ride. Vaya con dios Ryan!"

Grant Ludemann, New Zealand: "It is with great sadness to hear of Ryan Cox passing away, I was following his progress following his operation and looking forward to a full recovery so his full potential would be realised."

Nick Kulesz, Gloucester, Great Britain: "I would like to express my full sympathies to his family and to all the people who were close to him."

"A class rider. A good guy. A credit to South Africa. He will be badly missed. Love and Hope to his family and friends, God Bless."

Shaun Hannie, South Africa: "It is with great sadness that South Africa has lost a future Tour de France winner in Ryan Cox. His untimely death has shocked the cycling fraternity throughout the World."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his Barloworld team-mates, friends and most importantly, his family."

Fahmi Ibrahim, Glasgow: "I'm totally shocked with the news. Ryan definitely is great professional cyclist. I'm still remember, he is kind of friendly person where I managed to have chat with him during the stage of Tour of Britain in Glasgow for the past two years. We even had taken photo together where I still keep it in my album. The way he won the TDL shows the talent he has. Occasionally, I always log on to his website to read his journals/news. I sadly miss his writings and my deepest condolences to his family and relatives."

Jono Rumbelow, London: "Yesterday proved to be very hard for me when I learnt of Ryan's death so much so that I took the rest of the day off."

"I had the pleasure of knowing Ryan very well when I was the General Manager at Cycle Lab, Johannesburg during his days with the IBM/Microsoft Pro team. I still remember doing his bike fit using the Bioracer system when the team was sponsored with De Rosa Merak framesets. Loosing someone of his talent in South Africa is the greatest sporting loss that cycling has seen in that country. I regard him as one of the most successful riders that our country has produced. He was the most well mannered man I have ever dealt with and I can tell you now that the memorial ride will be bigger than any race held in the world today. My sincere condolences go out to his family."

Brent Copeland, Staff at Comobike and all your friends in Como: "Ciao Ryan! The climbs of Como will always remind us of you."

Graham Turk, Brussels: "I knew Ryan as a junior, riding with him you soon discovered what an amazing talent he had for the sport. Even as a junior Ryan was head and shoulders above the rest of us and we all knew that he was going to become a Pro like he always dreamed."

"I don't know if I will ever be as passionate about following cycling as I was up until this point again. It was always great to watch the big classics we used to dream about as juniors and see Ryan in the break."

"To Ryan's family and friends I wish to convey my deepest condolences, Ryan will be missed"

Savas Anibal, London: "Since I saw him at the Tour of Britain's '05 final stage in London I've been following his results. I was so happy to meet him in Cape Town last January. We had a long chat about his '07 programme and his future. His last words to me were 'see you in London at the Tour of Britain'. I've been looking forward to seeing him again in London. I am devastated, still in shock, he will be missed. My condolences go out to his family and his fiancée. Also a big thanks to Robbie."

Victor Anderson, London: "I didn't know Ryan well, but he was often in the training bunch that left in the early mornings from the Clay Oven in the north of Johannesburg. He was always smiling and laughing and even as a junior was tipped for really big things. That was a number of year's ago and I live in the UK now, but still remember Ryan's infectious effervescence - what a lovely person."

"How ironic it is then that Ryan's passing coincides with Robbie Hunter's and Barloworld's exploits at this year's Tour, a race that he was surely destined to compete in. Please send my condolences to Ryan's family, his fiancée, his friends and his team mates. This must be a very difficult time for all of them. South African cycling has lost one of its brightest stars."

Mervin Scorgie, Johannesburg, South Africa: "Today is a truly sad day. I have always admired Ryan and was saddened to hear that he would not participate in the Tour this year. Ryan and his Barloworld team were so impressive during this year's Giro Del Capo that watching them filled our South African hearts immense with pride."

"My sincerest condolences to The Cox family and pray that God gives them strength during this difficult time."

"Ryan we will miss you and will never forget you."

Pauline de Bruin, Strand, South Africa: "What a shock when we heard of Ryan's death on Wednesday morning via the television. We pray for his family and fiancé at this time and want them to know he'll be sadly missed by all the South African cyclist and fans. He was a wonderful person, good hearted an admired SA cyclist and very down to earth. Ryan we'll miss."

Ioannis Vorrias, Greece: "I first noticed Ryan after his remarkable performances in the TDL during 2005 season. However I got really surprised by the modesty and determination of his character after having watched some of Barloworld's inside videos. The news of his death was a shock to me since I was sure that he would one day make it to a grand squad, riding in the ProTour. Cycling isn't all about talent it's about character too and Ryan had a great one. On behalf of Greek cycling I express our deepest condolences to Ryan's family. Ryan our memories of you will inspire young riders to continue cycling even at these hard times.

Anton van der Merwe, South Africa: "I would just like to say how sad I am about this. Ryan was an awesome guy and this is not just a big loss to South African Cycling or international cycling but also to anybody who would have ever met him!!! Always a smile on his face and a positive attitude he was really someone to look up to. I had the privilege of riding with him on a couple of occasions and learned a lot. Will never forget those little tennis ball sized calves as they pulled out from under us on the climbs!! I would just like to send my condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed!!!!"

Steven Tibbitts, Previous team-mate on Amore & Vita: "What a horrible letter to write! I was fortunate enough to spend hundreds of hours training and racing with Ryan in 2000 while on Amore & Vita. This is truly a great man! He only spoke positive of everyone he came in contact with. He absolutely adored his Mother and Grandmother. He told me countless stories about them and absolutely held them on a pedestal. He has a heart of gold! Ryan was a real fighter. We rode a race in Naples once where we spent 7 hours in the freezing rain. I'll miss him dearly and hope his loved ones know my thoughts and prayers are with them."

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