By: Mia Wang

On Saturday, July 31, Magnus White, a 17-year-old American cyclist, died after being hit by a car while cycling in his hometown Boulder, Colorado.

Magnus started cycling at eight years old, and at just ten years old, he was cycling at a national level. “He got into the racing scene because of his local team Boulder Junior Cycling.” (USA Cycling). It was at this point that he fell in love with racing.

His most significant feats occurred during the 2021-22 season. Despite this being his first time cycling at a UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) level, he won the 2021 USA Cycling National Competition. Immediately following his feat, he went to Europe to race in the Christmas Block. Because of his European performance, he earned a spot in the 2022 World Championship team in Fayetteville.

Magnus was riding on Highway 119 when he was hit from behind by a 23-year-old woman driving a Toyota Matrix. After hitting Magnus, the car crashed into a fence, but the driver was unscathed. According to Colorado state patrol, “neither drugs, alcohol nor excessive speed are suspected factors in the crash.” (NPR)

To financially help Magnus’s family, his friends set up a Just Giving page. “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of our beloved son, Magnus White,” (WUNC) his parents said in a statement.