Belgian cyclist Frederiek Nolf was found dead in his Doha hotel room Thursday, hours before the start of the fifth stage of the Tour of Qatar. The race's fifth stage was canceled, but the peloton gathered to ride the 40km route from Doha's Camel Track to the finish at Qatar Foundation building as a sign of respect. An impromptu minute's silence was held at the start before the riders, wearing black armbands, headed off and officials handed out a statement confirming Nolf's death. Nolf's team did not take part in the cortege. Belgian cycling team Topsport Vlaanderen Mercator said the 21-year-old rider died in his sleep Wednesday night. The cause of death wasn't immediately known. The team quit the Qatar tour and was returning to Belgium on Thursday. Nolf was found dead in his bed by his roommate Kristof Gooddaert at around 0600 GMT on Thursday, the team said. “We are totally shocked with this news,” team manager Christophe Sercu told Belgium's VRT television from Qatar. He said Nolf had no apparent health problems and appeared fine when he went to bed at 10 P.M. on Wednesday. “There was nothing wrong on Wednesday,” Sercu said. Sercu said each rider on the team is tested every four months for doping and Nolf was drug free. According to Heyderrickx, Nolf had four medical checkups last year and was in his prime. Topsport Vlaanderen Mercator is one of the 17 teams taking part in the six-day Tour of Qatar, which ends on Friday. “We feel very sorry for the team and the teammates of Frederick,” said Magid Al Naimi, secretary general of the Qatar Cycling Federation. “It is bad news ... Death can come suddenly and it happened today.” Nolf made his professional debut with the Topsport team last year and described himself as an all
