Pat Caurant dies

Pat Caurant (Team Spine) died on Saturday as a results of injuries sustained in a collision with a truck on a training ride. Courant suffered severe damage to his head and face and never regained consciousness after the July 1 crash, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The crash occurred during a weekly ride, called the "House of Pain," that is open to anyone who can keep up. Caurant and another rider, Justin Laue, had made a left turn when Caurant, who was travelling at 20-25 mph, collided head-on with the truck, according to highway patrol officer Steve Creel. He was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and place in an induced coma. Laue suffered only minor injuries. The accident is under investigation.

Caurant, named the "2005 Best All Around Rider" by the Northern California Cycling Association, planned to retire from cycling after riding in the USA Cycling National Championship races in Pennsylvania this week. Caurant had a bad fall from his bike in May, suffering a concussion and was "ready to hang up his cleats," said his father, Michel Caurant.

"He was going to do nationals and then be done," said his sister Christine Caurant.

Pat Courant was a school teacher by profession, and an enthusiastic supporter of youth cycling programs. Michel, Mary & Christine Caurant have asked that anyone wishing to commemorate Pat should make donations in his name to three organisations:

The Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center (www.dyslexiacenter.org)
The Chabot Space & Science Center (www.chabotspace.org)
The Fast Freddie Foundation for youth cycling (www.fredrodriguez.com/foundation)

Everyone at Cyclingnews extends our condolences to Pat's family and friends.