Frank Vandenbroucke, who died at 34 in Senegal of a pulmonary embolism, has finally been laid to rest in his home town of Ploegsteert, Belgium, early this morning. The funeral was held at the church of Saints Peter and Paul. While the funeral itself was private to only friends and family, thousands of fans showed up outside and watched the ceremony on screens outside the church. Fellow cyclists Patrick Lefevere, Wilfried Peeters, Johan Museeuw, Leif Hoste and Peter Van Petegem all showed up to pay their respects, and Nico Mattan, Vandenbroucke’s former teammate at Cofidis, was a pallbearer and helped to carry the coffin into the service. Frank’s body was transported to a nearby Ploegsteert cemetary for burial after the ceremony. Rest in Peace Frank Vandenbroucke.

Via Cycling News….

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Following the autopsy of pro cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke, we now know that he tragically died of natural causes. More specifically, a double pulmonary embolism, as well as a pre-existing heart condition, says the Senegalese pathologist. Vandenbroucke had gone to Senegal with his friend, fellow cyclist Fabio Polazzi. Senegalese police have arrested three people on Tuesday in Thies for stealing Mr. Vandenbroucke’s money, two cell phones, and a watch. The three people were Seynabou Diop, the prostitute who was with Vandenbroucke in his hotel room that night, her pimp, and also the taxi driver who took Diop to meet Frank on that Sunday. Vandenbroucke’s autopsy also revealed injection marks in his left arm. The police also found alcohol, drugs, and syringes in Frank’s hotel room. His body will be sent to Belgium in the next few days, with a funeral date…

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Unfortunately, the cycling world loses yet another professional, as pro cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke dies at the young age of 34. The information came via a source close to Frank, but they did not mention the cause of death. Vandenbroucke lived a troubled life, suffering from depression. Two years ago, he attempted suicide when his wife told him she was going to divorce him. He was on vacation in Senegal, where he was found dead in his hotel due to a pulmonary embolism. His uncle, Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke, a former racer himself, made the following comments:

“Sadly this has only partly come as a surprise, for we knew he was not doing too well. He was up and down, both in terms of his health and his morale. He left for Senegal on Sunday.”

Frank had been in some trouble in the past few…

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