Young cyclists found dead

Belgian cyclist Frederiek Nolf was found dead in his hotel room this morning, just hours before he was due to race in stage five of the Tour of Qatar.

Room-mate Krisof Goddaert alerted the team’s sporting director when he could not wake the he Topsport Vlaanderen rider, 21, this morning.

A doctor was called and Nolf was pronounced dead.

The cause of death is not yet known, but team manager Christophe Sercu said he was not aware of Nolf, who turned professional last year, having any health problems

Eddy Merckx, the Beliian five-time Tour de France winner who is part of the team’s management said: “Our thoughts are with Frederiek’s family, his girlfriend and his mates.”

Topsport Vlaanderen has pulled out of the race in which several British riders are competing – notably four-time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish and triple Olympic gold-medallist Bradley Wiggins.