Cycling: Vandenbroucke, 34, found dead

(GETTY IMAGES)

Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke died yesterday in Senegal at the age of 34 .

The Belgian media suggest he suffered a pulmonary embolism, although the cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed.

His former coach Jose De Cauwer told Belgian newspaper De Morgen: "Frank was a super talent, yet difficult to coach.

"But Frank was a very good guy, someone with a good soul. However, many people were jealous of his talent.

"It is unfortunate that he would have done little with it, and now this happens, at the age of 34. This is much too young, Frank has done absolutely nothing to deserve this."

The Mouscron-born rider was considered one of the great prospects of world cycling early in his career.

He turned professional in 1993 and won 54 races, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 1999 and Paris-Nice and Gent-Wevelgem in 1998.

He called time on his career this season following a career punctuated by drug problems and allegations.