'Uncle Sep' Vanmarcke devastated by death of nephew Milan Bral after training crash

Vanmarcke shares emotional post "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who loved him. We wish them all the strength and warmth in this incredibly difficult time," Dovy Keukens-FCC added. Bral came from a genuine cycling family and, like his uncles Sep and Ken Vanmarcke, had a talent for the Classics. Earlier this spring he raced the Mur de Huy Classic, the under-23 equivalent of La Flèche Wallonne. His younger brother Xibe (18) is also a cyclist. Milan had reportedly been on his way to the GP Dries Devenyns, where Xibe was competing. Sep Vanmarcke shared an emotional tribute to his nephew on social media. "I don't know where to begin, where to end. I don't want it to end. But here we are," the Belgian wrote. "Yesterday morning, before your final training ride, you came to see us." Bral visited his uncle Sep often — including on the day he died. "So much comes over me… If only I'd kept you a bit longer. A minute would have been enough. Then maybe you'd have reached that junction just a little later. Maybe that car would already have passed." "If only I'd gone riding with you more, and come to watch more of your races. 'Too busy' — but now I wish I'd had that extra time with you." Vanmarcke's words are full of love for Milan, and he promises to look after his family. "I am so proud of you, Milan. I'm grateful I got to know you for 21 years. I love you. I will never forget you."