‘I’m thinking of her so much’: Riders react after ex-French track cyclist Cindy Morvan killed in Calais

The cycling community was rocked this weekend by grim news from France. On Friday in Calais, 39-year-old Cindy Morvan was shot dead, French media reported. According to those reports, the perpetrator was the partner of Morvan’s ex-husband, who took her own life after the shooting. On Sunday, reactions of shock and sympathy echoed across the cyclo-cross circuit.

Morvan was a former track rider who once captured the French national title. After ending her pro career, she stayed close to the sport as a “passionate and dedicated volunteer,” obtained her coaching diploma and worked to develop women’s cycling.

“Cindy was a devoted and passionate person,” the French Cycling Federation wrote in a message on Saturday, adding their condolences to family and loved ones and “NO to all forms of violence.” The federation said her “warm presence and energy will be greatly missed,” and added: “Cindy, we will not forget you, and we send a special thought to your two children.”

Reports indicate Morvan was shot in her hometown of Calais. The perpetrator is said to have left a letter apologising “for her actions.” Given additional reporting about a “strained relationship” between the two women, we refrain from sharing further detail out of respect for those involved.

From within cyclo-cross, riders took the microphone on Sunday to condemn the violence and honour Morvan. After finishing second at Rapencross, Marion Norbert-Riberolle addressed the news in French during the flash interview. “I learned yesterday (Saturday) about Cindy Morvan’s death. She lost her life in a horrific way."

"Cindy helped me a lot when I wanted to start racing in France', she added. "I’m thinking of her so much now. She was killed in an atrocious way. I want to use this moment to say no to violence. There is a lot of violence everywhere, in Flanders and Wallonia too, and that’s unacceptable."