Former Dutch cyclist Lieuwe Westra was found dead at the age of 40.

“Former cyclist struggled with himself in recent years and lost”, Sijtsma wrote on the social network Twitter that the cause of death of the athlete known as “The Beast” was not disclosed.

His family reported, via the social network Facebook, that he was at his company’s premises on Saturday afternoon. zwaagdijk and, according to Dutch media reports, an attempt was made to revive him, but this was impossible.

“In recent years, Lieuwe has had a hard time. The end of his cycling career and his life as a professional were difficult for him.. We want to remember him as a cycling Beast in the happiest moments of his life,” they wrote.

Westra running with teams Vancansoleil DCM (2009-2013), Astana (2014-2016) and Wanty Group Gobert, He was a two-time champion of the Dutch Cycling Time Trial Championship and won stages in Paris-Nice in 2012, the Tour of Catalonia, and the Dauphiné in 2014. Astana tour, in Vincenzo Nibali and De Panne’s Driedaagse.

cyclist ended his career in early 2017 As he explained in a television interview months later, after reporting that he suffered from depression that prevented him from continuing to run.

According to the family who asked, Westra will be fired with a small ceremony I respect your privacy.

His former teammate at Vancansoleil, Johnny Hogerland He expressed regret over his compatriot’s death on Twitter and regretted “not being able to help more” in recent years.