Retired cycling strongman and former USA Cycling national team rider Steve Larson passed away on Tuesday evening following his collapse during a running workout. Larsen, 39, died of an apparent heart attack near his home in Bend, Oregon. A cycling icon, Larsen contested world championships across the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike and cyclo-cross.Â
We would like to express our condolences to the Larsen family and to all of the many lives he touched in and around the sport of cycling,” stated USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson. “Steve had an incredibly diverse career, making remarkable contributions to both cycling and triathlon; and his impact will not be forgotten.”
Larsen raced extensively with the USA Cycling national team program in the late 1980s. Moving to the legendary Motorola professional road cycling team in the 1990s, Larsen contested the Giro d’Italia and other major racing events, while also earning a national championship on the road. He also became a dominant force in mountain bike racing in the 1990s winning cross country titles in 1998 and 2000.Â
Held in high regard by the cycling industry, Larsen leaves a wife, Carrie, and five children.Â