Friend of Vandenbroucke also dies in Senegal

Eric Rottiers, the organiser of the Tour Méditerranéen and friend of recently deceased Belgian Frank Vandenbroucke, passed away in Senegal this weekend, two weeks after 'VDB' stayed in the same hotel, Het Nieuwsblad reported.

Despite the coincidence, the circumstances surrounding Rottiers death were reportedly not suspicious, and he is said to have died of a heart attack.

Rottiers, 58, and Vandenbroucke were close friends, and the paper reported that Rottiers mourned the loss heavily. The two were to meet in Senegal, but Vandenbroucke passed away on October 12, before Rottiers could arrive.

Rottiers died on Saturday, October 24, the same day Vandenbroucke was buried in a private ceremony in Ploegsteert, Belgium.

The Cyclingnews' staff extends our deepest sympathies to Rottiers' friends and family.

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