Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37

Breaking News

by Mark Alker August 23, 2022 56

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)

View this post on Instagram

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.
Chipps Chippendale – Singletrack Editor At Large

Mark Alker

Singletrack Owner/Publisher

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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This topic has 56 replies, 56 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by G.

Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 56 total)

Pro Racer Rab Wardell Dies In His Sleep at 37
dthom3uk
Full Member

Terrible news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Posted 1 year ago

dirkpitt74
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

mashr
Full Member

Absolutely speechless. Condolences to those close to him

Posted 1 year ago

DickBarton
Full Member

No no no no no…this isn’t right…

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

Pauly
Full Member

That is shit news. RIP Rab.

Posted 1 year ago

thegeneralist
Free Member

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

Posted 1 year ago

NZCol
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year ago

jamesthorn50
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year ago

ditch_jockey
Free Member

Speechless – that’s really shocking news!

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

Drac
Full Member

Sad news at such a young age. RIP

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

ernie
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year ago

fasthaggis
Full Member

That is terrible news,very sad.

Posted 1 year ago

plus-one
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year ago

gee
Free Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year ago

thegman67
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

mackenru
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year ago

brakestoomuch
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year 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 1 year 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 1 year ago

jamj1974
Full Member

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

Posted 1 year ago

maddyutah
Full Member

What a talent, really sad news.

Posted 1 year ago

matt_outandabout
Full Member

Awful news.

Posted 1 year 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 1 year ago

Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 56 total)

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