Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37

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We have little more information at this stage but according to our sources Rab died in his sleep on the 22nd August.

Yesterday Rab was featured on BBC Scotland discussing his achievements including his win in the senior category at the Scottish MTB XC Championships at the weekend. Previously Rab had won the Junior and U23 categories in the same series.

Rab Wardell got his first MTB in 1999 which kick started a long career in racing and eventually coaching. He has triumphed in a range of disciplines from XC to Enduro. Recently his focus turned to marathon racing.

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A post shared by Rab Wardell (@rabwardell)

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A post shared by Rab Wardell (@rabwardell)

Rab Wardell 1985 – 2022

Rab Wardell Trek Factory Racing by Ali Burgess
Morven Brown, Rab Wardell and Lesley Ingram too

So sorry to have just heard the news about Rab Wardell’s death. He’d just won the Scottish Cross Country Championships on the back of an impressive comeback to racing and apparently passed away in his sleep. Rab was a true all-rounder, racing XC, cross and Enduro with equal flair (and whipping an XC bike in my photo from ten years ago, or setting the FKT for the West Highland Way.) all while being humble and cheerful – and very, very fast.

Just as he had it all to look forward to, with us along for the ride, he was taken away. My love and sympathy goes out to his many friends, peers and his family. A true champ has left us.

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Mark Alker

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What Mark doesn’t know about social media isn’t worth knowing and his ability to balance “The Stack” is bested only by his agility on a snowboard. Graphs are what gets his engine revving, at least they would if his car wasn’t electric, and data is what you’ll find him poring over in the office. Mark enjoys good whisky, sci-fi and the latest Apple gadget, he is also the best boss in the world (Yes, he is paying me to write this).

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Home › Forums › Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37

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  • This topic has 56 replies, 56 voices, and was last updated 2 years ago by G.
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  • Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37
  • dthom3uk
    Full Member

    Terrible news. Condolences to his family and friends.

    Posted 2 years ago
    dirkpitt74
    Full Member

    Wow – shocking, RIP Rab – condolences to all who knew him.

    Posted 2 years ago
    lovewookie
    Full Member

    this is terrible. followed him for a while, an inspiring chap, setting goals and achieving most, but being very vocal about mindset, challenges and expectations.

    I’m genuinely shocked by this news. condolences to his family and all that knew him

    Posted 2 years ago
    mashr
    Full Member

    Absolutely speechless. Condolences to those close to him

    Posted 2 years ago
    DickBarton
    Full Member

    No no no no no…this isn’t right…

    Posted 2 years ago
    jamesmio
    Free Member

    That’s awful; he literally just won the XC at Kirroughtree.

    Poor guy, loved his WHW video and had been following him online for ages.

    Posted 2 years ago
    Pauly
    Full Member

    That is shit news. RIP Rab.

    Posted 2 years ago
    thegeneralist
    Free Member

    Could we perhaps remove the “BREAKING!” bit of the headline.
    To say it jars somewhat would be an understatement.

    Posted 2 years ago
    NZCol
    Full Member

    Shocking news, was talking to him yesterday. Cannot believe it.

    Posted 2 years ago
    jamesthorn50
    Full Member

    Tragic! He’ll forever be remembered as one of mtbs legends. Thoughts and condolences to his family and friends 😢😭😤

    Posted 2 years ago
    ditch_jockey
    Full Member

    Speechless – that’s really shocking news!

    Posted 2 years ago
    Jeeble
    Full Member

    Gutted to hear this terrible news. I got to know Rab through Instagram posts and messages and he was inspiring me to set goals and so supportive and friendly. #BeMoreRab

    Posted 2 years ago
    Drac
    Full Member

    Sad news at such a young age. RIP

    Posted 2 years ago
    Northwind
    Full Member

    I only chatted to him a couple of times but he was so obviously a good guy, very sad to hear it.

    Posted 2 years ago
    ernie
    Free Member

    RIP Rab. I’m in shock reading this news. Happy trails wherever they may be

    Posted 2 years ago
    jimmy
    Full Member

    Just had the phonecall from a mutual friend. So sad. He’d just managed to turn pro and hit the big time for him. Something terribly tragic about this.

    Posted 2 years ago
    13thfloormonk
    Full Member

    I only chatted to him a couple of times but he was so obviously a good guy, very sad to hear it.

    Very much this for me, just casually asked to borrow an Allen key in the car park at a race as he was getting ready and he had all the time in the world to chat. Genuinely nice guy, horrible news.

    Posted 2 years ago
    fasthaggis
    Full Member

    That is terrible news,very sad.

    Posted 2 years ago
    plus-one
    Full Member

    Had some good rides with Rab. He was indeed a legend 🙁

    Posted 2 years ago
    gee
    Free Member

    Absolutely heartbreaking and shocking. A true gentleman and awesome competitor.

    Posted 2 years ago
    sillyoldman
    Full Member

    Awful news, and so hard to take in – he seemed to be in his best form physically and mentally in a long time and clearly loving life.
    Just awful.

    Posted 2 years ago
    mtnboarder
    Full Member

    Sad news, didn’t know him but did a course when he was working at Dirtschool Seemed a genuinely nice bloke an d a really good teacher.

    Posted 2 years ago
    a11y
    Full Member

    Utterly speechless. Never knowingly met Rab but know plenty who have and never a bad word spoken about him.

    Condolences to his family and all who knew him.

    Posted 2 years ago
    thegman67
    Full Member

    Was just listening to him on the Downtime podcast on Saturday. RIP Rab

    Posted 2 years ago
    BoardinBob
    Full Member

    Unbelievably sad to hear this. I ran into Rab a lot and without fail he’d always stop for a 20 minute+ chat. One of the real good guys and his bike exploits were truly inspirational.

    Posted 2 years ago
    mackenru
    Full Member

    This is unbelievably tragic! Such desperately sad news. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends 🙏

    Posted 2 years ago
    scottishscrutineer
    Free Member

    I just heard the news about 10mins ago from a mutual friend. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a fundraiser earlier this year where he talked about his WHW ride. Later on we chatted about cycling and local facilities. A very down to earth guy.
    RIP Rab and condolences to his family and friends

    Posted 2 years ago
    paino
    Full Member

    Awful awful news. A pleasure to see him out on the local lanes on the south side of Glasgow. A winner in every sense. Gutted for his friends & family. RIP Rab.

    Posted 2 years ago
    The-Beard
    Full Member

    Nothing I can really add that hasn’t already been said. Genuinely shocking news, did a proper double take reading the headline. He’s was very well known and liked figure in the Scottish cycling scene.

    Posted 2 years ago
    doug_basqueMTB.com
    Full Member

    So sad. I knew Rab a very little bit and it was always a pleasure to talk to him. A really nice and genuine guy. I can’t believe this news. I’ve followed his rides, races and adventures and been inspired. Such a loss for our community. You will be missed Rab, you inspired and influenced more people than you could have imagined. RIP.

    Posted 2 years ago
    munrobiker
    Free Member

    This is desperately sad for his friends and family. My condolences won’t mean much but I offer them anyway.

    I never met Rab but as someone who’s raced XC in Scotland over the last fifteen years he’s been a real inspiration to a lot of people. It was his exploits in 2020 that led me have a go at doing the WHW in a decent time in a day.

    Posted 2 years ago
    stevenmenmuir
    Free Member

    I didn’t know him really but we were chatting one day at Glentress whilst we were both waiting on clients, he was worried about his shins as he had started messing about on BMX. The next day I gave him some old shin pads.

    It reminds me of my friend Elliott who drove the uplift at inners. He passed away in his sleep at a similar age.

    Posted 2 years ago
    iainc
    Full Member

    Someone I knew well, he did a great job with us at Glasgowriderz and was a true inspiration to the young riders. Thoughts are with the family and Katie 😢

    Posted 2 years ago
    brakestoomuch
    Full Member

    Horrendous news. Taken far too young. Condolences to his family and friends.

    Posted 2 years ago
    el_boufador
    Full Member

    Terribly sad news. Loved the WHW video – never met him but he came across as a lovely guy.
    Condolences and best wishes to all affected.

    Posted 2 years ago
    OmarLittle
    Free Member

    Absolutely gutting news.

    Crammed a lot into his life on the bike – raced in every discipline, Scottish champion, went to the commonwealth games, raced for GB, coached hundreds if not thousands of kids (some of whom are now on the world stage), and now with the wahoo sponsorship and video series.

    I only knew him a little bit but anytime i’d see him he’d make me feel like an old friend. Just a genuinely lovely guy and the Scottish cycling scene, whether it be competitive or just riding bikes for fun, is going to feel a whole lot emptier without him there 🙁

    Posted 2 years ago
    jamj1974
    Full Member

    So gutted for his family, friends and associates. Brilliant rider.

    Posted 2 years ago
    maddyutah
    Full Member

    What a talent, really sad news.

    Posted 2 years ago
    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Awful news.

    Posted 2 years ago
    Mounty_73
    Full Member

    Awful news, very sad. Condolences to his family and friends 🙁

    I loved his attempt and video of the West Highland Way.

    Posted 2 years ago
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