RIP Burry Stander

Jan 3, 2013
by Scott Secco  
Burry Stander, professional cross country racer and two-time Olympian was struck by a car today. Stander, 25, was hit near Shelly Beach, South Africa on a training ride and has since passed away. Stander was a rising star in the XC world and won his first ever World Cup round at Windham this season. He also won the Singlespeed World Championships and was a repeat champion in the Cape Epic race in 2011 and 2012. Stander was the 2009 Under-23 World Champion and a bronze medalist at the 2010 World Championships in Monte-Sainte-Anne, Quebec. Stander also placed fifth at the London Olympic Games. Pinkbike would like to send our condolences to Burry's family and friends.

rip

rip

David Hyam of Specialized Bikes also bid him farewell:

Dear All,

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our friend and cycling legend Burry, who was tragically snatched away in the prime of his life while training in his home town of Kwazulu-Natal this afternoon.

We have lost not only a friend, colleague and team-mate, but a true sportsman. He will long be remembered for his humility, his prowess and the gentle manner in which he conducted his life!

Our heartfelt sympathies, thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Cherise, his parents, family and all who were privileged to know this gentle giant.

Life is short, life is sweet but his legend will live on forever...
Sincere condolences to all.

David Hyam and the Specialized S-Racing Team

Photos: Phunkt

Posted In:
Racing and Events


Author Info:
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271 Comments
  • 203 0
 RIP - Burry...
  • 119 1
 RIP=Ride In Peace
  • 37 1
 Way to young to go. RIP!
  • 16 0
 Cherise, so sorry for your loss. Very hard game-changer. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
  • 13 0
 This man was one of my idols for XC and he always will be. This is truly tragic, my condolences go out to his family and friends.
  • 48 110
flag Jack-Richter (Jan 3, 2013 at 16:27) (Below Threshold)
 Ride in Peace man. We all know he'll be racing against Jesus up there but Jesus can't keep up with him so..
  • 11 0
 age 25 too young!! Ride On Man
  • 8 3
 Stories like this are more expected in skiing/snowboarding so hearing news like this in this sport is well... not any easier but so much less expected... this is the worst fear I have of road riding. This sucks.... RIP
  • 21 4
 can't say XC is my thing, but it doesn't matter what what discipline you're in, it's always heartbreaking to see a fellow rider go. Rest in Peace Burry Stander, shred hard wherever you are.
  • 3 69
flag Benchurchy (Jan 4, 2013 at 14:37) (Below Threshold)
 Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth, Kill the driver of the car! Slice there throat.
  • 5 127
flag Stormtiger23 (Jan 4, 2013 at 21:16) (Below Threshold)
 looks like those 29 inch wheels didn't help roll over that car!!! p.s. helmet theory BUSTED!!! literally
  • 47 1
 ^so disrespectful
  • 3 85
flag Stormtiger23 (Jan 4, 2013 at 21:36) (Below Threshold)
 I have have a thumbs down button too ya know
  • 43 1
 go somewhere else with it you inconsiderate prick.
  • 8 1
 Wow @stormtiger23 you are a complete idiot...You are talking about one of the best xc-racer, a rising star, an athlete and a young man just like if it was nothing...You cannot laught sincerly about that...Go see a psy.

R.I.P Burry an inspiration for all of us
  • 5 2
 seriously show some respect for him, this is not some comment thread you can just flaunt your jokes on to keep your confidence up. RIP Burry, shred those cloudy trails X)
  • 2 9
flag Stormtiger23 (Jan 7, 2013 at 11:43) (Below Threshold)
 can I get -150!!!!
  • 10 1
 stormtiger 23...you truly are one of lifes complete and utter fucking cocks.... what a bellend.
  • 2 1
 totally agree - patriot-si
  • 4 3
 I am very sorry about the comments my what used to be friend and riding busy hacked my account. R.I.P. Burry
  • 2 0
 instead of everybody being disrespectful and arguing lets just Ride in burrys memory
  • 92 1
 RIP, I say get one of these photos POD for respect!
  • 19 0
 I agree.
  • 6 1
 :'(
  • 11 1
 and a VOD, he was in the specialized vids but I'm sure one of all his world cups riding could be made easy with no advertising
  • 4 7
 POD for Barry ! RIP
  • 82 0
 First horrible news of the new year,my condolences to his family & friends that lost a great person in their lives.
  • 53 0
 Back in 05 I was fortunate enough to be the Team Manager for Mongoose and G.T., and was involved with bringing Burry over to the U.S. for his first time to race some Norba events. Myself and E.C.'s long time mechanic John Canepa picked him up at the Spokane Washington Airport and where together for about 2 months. During that time we all became good freinds, and enjoyed our time together.He was always welcome at my home. I have enjoyed watching his success. Burry was a good freind and a true gentleman. He was always polite and proffesional. He was faithful and committed. He even talked Todd Wells into joining him on Specialized after he had decided to move there, because he enjoyed him so much as a freind and training partner. It has been a tough day hearing this news, and has left me gutted. My prayers are out for his family. The Mountain Bike World has lost a great athlete, and representative. And I have lost a freind. Peace be with you Burry. You will be missed.
  • 7 0
 Sorry for your loss. I'm glad I got to see his victory at Windham. It sounds like he was a fun and positive guy to be around. My condolences to his family and friends.
  • 6 0
 Sorry for his wife, family and friends. I didn't know him personally but I follow him since 2 years and from what I saw, he was a great man before a great champion. Sure his memory will stay with us...
  • 33 0
 I don't follow XC so didn't know who he was until today , such a bad way to hear about a rising star for the first time in your life. R.I.P buddy.
  • 27 0
 Very appropriate that PB pays respect to this cycling giant. Full article about Stander later please, I only became aware of him recently after the Olympics
  • 24 0
 Devastated. Was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Extremely sad day for cyclists all over. RIP Burry!
  • 22 1
 RIP bro... Hope you enjoy a big XC track in the sky..
  • 19 0
 Ride in Paradise Burry!
  • 16 0
 Yeah, suuuuuucks! Literally felt NUMB when I heard the news... Not cool. RIP Dirty Hippo aka @AfricanMTBKid
  • 14 0
 I felt physically sick... ah man. So Sad.
  • 2 0
 Me too mate....me too !!
  • 3 0
 Ah man I felt the same way. I was lucky enough to go the Olympics and took a South African flag as well as a GB flag to cheer on one of my favorite XC riders. Such sad tragic news
  • 12 0
 I hate sad New! R.I.P Burry....
  • 11 0
 RIP Burry, my condolences to his family
  • 13 1
 Frown
  • 7 0
 RIP one of the biggest personalities on the xc track and a huge inspiration, I thought it was april fools when I saw RIP beside Burry Stander, and quite frankly its still hard to believe, we'll all miss you bud you died too young
  • 9 0
 big respect for his family, such sad news to hear the death of someone so young and talented in the sport.
  • 7 0
 RIP, terrible hearing about stuff like that, I don't like riding on the road, to many careless drivers are out there on the loose.
  • 7 0
 RIP, It always saddens to me to hear that another cyclist has had there life taken by a motorist. Condolences to family and friends.
  • 2 1
 Yeah, it never seems fair, I couldn't imagine this happening to somebody I knew. Best regards.
  • 5 0
 Such a tragic bit of news. Like a lot of us, I am not familiar with Burry or the XC sport as much but none the less, it''s absolutely horrible to hear of such a young, talented individual torn away from the world. Ride In Peace pal!
  • 8 0
 Ride in peace Burry. My deepest condolences to his deareast
  • 7 0
 My favorite XC rider and a true legendFrown ride on Burry, the competitors in the afterlife don't stand a chance.
  • 4 0
 I am so sorry to have to hear this...another tragedy that could have been avoided.... SAD !! Rest in peace Burry brother, and my sincerest condolences to Stander family and friends ! A great man, a great rider, a great racer!
  • 4 0
 This hit home, so horrible, so sad. Please be careful when behind the wheel of a car, I know guys on road bikes isn't the coolest thing on this website but they deserve to be safe, they deserve lots of room on the road. I'm sure all of us have our bikes on the road at some point.
  • 1 0
 Road riding is cool.. Always has been, untill this happens of course
  • 4 0
 Burry is one of the reasons i started racing, watching the videos of him racing was inspirational, when i heard the news i was devistated- Ive honestly never been so disapointed. A true hero and a ledgend, may he live on in our riding.
  • 3 0
 A legend has been lost, not only to us as South Africans but to the world, the human race! He was a roll model for role models! Always professional yet always smiling! Helping the poor and needy, teaching them that life is good and helping them to make it a better place! We are sad today Burry, very sad for having to say goodbye to you so early! May you forever live in our memories! Frown
  • 8 1
 RIP Burry..you was too young Frown
  • 6 0
 So sad. Terrible, and was a great talent. Condolences to family and friends.
  • 8 2
 RIP man, and i also hope the guy driving the car that hit you, gets a severe punishment
  • 12 1
 It's very sad to lose an mtber but we can't just blame the driver of the car as we do not know the circumstances that the accident happened under.
  • 4 0
 yeah i did think that, but i also thought what are the chances of a proffesional rider, who would clearly have a lot of road/riding sense, doing something silly like pulling out into a road without looking, or trying to cut a corner on a red light ect. but as you said, we just dont know :/
  • 5 1
 Yeah, everyone makes mistakes whether it was the driver or the rider. Either way it doesn't change that he's not here anymore which is the sad part.
  • 3 1
 true Frown . although maybe if we argue enough, the guy in the sky will send him back to stop the arguing!
  • 2 0
 I found an article that claims that a taxi turned in front of him. I fear about this all the time while I'm riding my bike on the road just because it is often the case that drivers don't look for bikers. At least not where I live. I have even been hit a few times by cars like this. I feel bad for Burry and his family and wish them all the best. RIP
  • 3 0
 This is so sad. He was one of the coolest riders around, not only in XC, but in all of mountain biking. I had the chance to watch him race and take the win at the Windham world cup this past year, and I was super stoked that he got the win. He was such a great guy and an incredibly talented rider. He always had such a good vibe about him. He will definetly be missed. Rip Burry!
  • 3 0
 really sad. it always makes me sad to see someone with so much potential, he was an inspiration to me and my cross country career. my heart goes out to his family. And it makes me sick to hear about cyclist deaths by car. no matter your level a car is always more powerful, there needs to be more awareness about cars and the dangers of riding near cars. RIP.
  • 7 1
 well on the positive side he died what he love doing
  • 4 0
 RIP to a great rider taken too early.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
" To live on in the memory of friends is not to die "
God speed.
  • 2 0
 I'm really, really sad about that! He was such a positive appearance and person. The whole MTB-Circus will miss him. I feel very sorry for him, his family and his friends! RIP Burry ! Ride in Paradise!
I hope, that the car-driver is in deep regret too and not one of these aggresive "The road is mine" kind of guy!
  • 6 0
 SHARE THE ROAD!!! RIP Burry
  • 2 0
 R.I.P.- ride in peace
so young and so much more to have come....
frkn eh.......
what can be done to make road riding safer or make riders more visible to cars??
this is a worldwide problem that needs to be addressed more....
what a tragedy...
may his familyt and friends be comforted in this difficult time...
  • 6 0
 RIP Burry.
  • 6 0
 rip Frown
  • 6 0
 R.I.P
  • 5 0
 RIP Burry... all thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
  • 5 0
 Such a big lost to bike world and his family.
  • 5 0
 Why does it always happen to the good guys,sad news,RIP
  • 2 0
 Such an awful way to go...doing what he did best and beeing snatched by a car...to think it can hapen to anyone of us...my condolences to his family in this tragic, tragic events...
  • 6 0
 RIP brother!
  • 4 0
 ugh... never like reading these type of headlines. Condolences to family and friends.
  • 6 0
 sad R.I.P
  • 5 0
 The world has lost a Champion,thanks for being a example to the young!.RIP
  • 5 0
 Least he died happily riding his bike.
  • 1 0
 This is horrible news. Any one who rides knows the danger of the cars around them. Drivers are disconnected from the world beyond their car no matter how many devices manufacturers install. Cars-r-coffins. Be safe brothers and sisters. Use lights day and night. Stay strong and ride long. Peace.
  • 1 0
 What a shock :-( . There are way too many cyclists being killed on the roads at the moment. That's the third Professional alone in the last few months. Even Wiggins was knocked of his bike a few months ago ! And people say mountainbiking is dangerous !!!
  • 5 0
 RIP :'(
  • 5 0
 RIP Frown
  • 5 0
 RIP Burry
  • 4 0
 R.I.P Burry Stander 1987 - 2013
we will never forget him Frown
  • 5 0
 Awful news
  • 5 0
 Very sad
  • 5 0
 R.I.P Bru
  • 5 0
 R.I.P legend
  • 4 0
 A true master of the bike world... rip in peace
  • 4 0
 R.I.P ,his family has all my respect and support! :'(
  • 5 0
 RIP burry
  • 5 0
 RIP Burry
  • 4 0
 I wish you perfect trails.
  • 4 0
 Ride in peace burry...terrible loss.
  • 4 0
 Terrible news, Rest in peace burry.
  • 3 0
 That's truly terrible news. My sincerest heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. A great loss.
  • 4 0
 How tragic it is for one to pass away so young. Frown
  • 2 0
 It's tragic to lose anyone that way, but for someone who was young and with so many more possibilities ahead of them, it seems that much more sad. My condolences...RIP.
  • 3 0
 .......absolute horrible situation for him, his family and the driver of the car too. Thats just tragic all the way around.
  • 4 0
 RIP I hate hearing about cyclists dieing from collisions with motorists.
  • 2 0
 Me too! This a tragic loss & is the reason I headed off the streets & into the mountains!
  • 2 0
 I have survived from a car hit when i was 18 thank's to my helmet. RIP from me too my friend, every cyclist is a brother and sister for me.
  • 2 0
 RIP Burry, My condolences to the family, nobody should suffer such a big loss. Please car drivers, take care of bikes on the road, please.
  • 4 0
 R.I.P Burry
  • 4 0
 Rest in Peace Burry.
  • 4 1
 RIP burry you were always my favourite XC rider
  • 3 0
 R.I.P. Burry you were and still are my inspiration in racing XC
  • 1 0
 I was shocked when i read about this news this morning, i still couldn't believe it. RIP Burry and condolences to his family.
  • 1 0
 I followed xc for a small bit and he was one of my favorites. my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones. RIP Burry Stander.
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry! One of the sad things is this won't appear in papers outside of Burrys' local area so it's not likely that the majority of motorists will hear about this.
  • 2 0
 Watching his videos for specialized inspired me, rest in peace Burry, sorry it had to happen at so early.
  • 4 0
 R.I.P Burry
  • 4 0
 RIP Burry
  • 4 1
 That is just f*up. R.I.P Frown
  • 3 0
 25?!?!!?!?!? 0_0 sooo saaadd
  • 3 0
 i saw him at windam and he was wicked fast, RIP Burry
  • 3 0
 RIP Burry. He was poised to be the next Julien Abasalon/Nino Schurter.
  • 3 0
 Very sad. R.I.P Burry Stander
  • 3 0
 Very sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.
  • 3 0
 Great loss, no parents should outlive their kids. RIP Burry.
  • 3 0
 Burry was an awesome rider. RIP
  • 2 0
 R I p. Dude. You will be never. Forgottin. Hope you. Ride up to. The gates of happyness. Fly on #1
  • 3 0
 Sad to hear one of ours going even if we never met
  • 2 0
 Rip Burry....... May Jason McRoy show u heaven's best trails... Another great loss to the MTB world.
  • 1 0
 Tragic, such a waste of a young life. Condolences to his family and friends. Frown Take care out there guys, the roads are a dangerous place to be on a bike.
  • 3 0
 RESPECT, RIP.
  • 3 0
 RIP Burry Frown
  • 3 0
 RIP Burry Stander
Frown
  • 3 0
 Shred in Peace Burry.
  • 3 0
 rip
  • 3 0
 RIP Burry
  • 2 0
 Rest in peace Burry......
  • 3 0
 ride in peace buddy
  • 1 0
 Ride easy, tragic accident, to loose someone so young and dedicated to the sport...
  • 1 0
 I still don't believe it. I don't have words to describe what I feel. Requiescat in pace.
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace, anytime someone from the sport dies it's a sad thing to see.
  • 3 0
 RIP in peace Burry
  • 3 0
 Horrible news. RIP.
  • 3 0
 ride in peace burry
  • 3 0
 RIP.
  • 3 0
 Ride in peace Frown
  • 3 0
 R.I.P
  • 3 0
 RIP.
  • 3 0
 RIP RIDER. 2wheels1love
  • 2 0
 RIP may the mtb angels be with you.
  • 2 0
 RIP . Unfortunate that someone with so much class is taken from the world.
  • 2 0
 RIP Burry, my condolences to family, friends and fans.
  • 2 0
 sad to see such an awsome rider get taken so fast. RIP Burry
  • 1 0
 Burry will forever be a LEGEND, it is just so sad man, the mtb world has lost one of its best.
  • 1 0
 R.I.P. my friend i hope the hills are as good in heaven as they are on earth.
  • 1 0
 Never heard of the dude before this; totally f*ckin sucks. Condolences to his loved ones.
  • 1 0
 Rip. another. Mtb man burry Pinkbike Mtb. Readers. Prey for the boss vvt
  • 2 0
 RIP Burry. Rest in peace.
  • 1 0
 step away- nothing to see here... it is just yet another cyclists dying because of a motorised vehicle... RIP Mr Stander
  • 1 0
 Sad news for our cycling community - we lost a cycling GIANT! R.I.P Burry!
  • 3 1
 RIP. rising legend..
  • 2 0
 R.I.P.
  • 2 0
 tragic loss RIP
  • 2 0
 Tragic
  • 1 0
 Rip burry wishing the family well and hope he's shredding in heaven Smile xx
  • 2 0
 R.I.P Burry :,(
  • 1 0
 Trajic. Godspeed Mr. Stander
  • 1 0
 This is shocking... RIP Burry...
  • 1 0
 He will forever stay in my heart
  • 2 0
 Ride In Paradise
  • 2 0
 too young... rip..
  • 2 0
 RIP
  • 1 0
 Such a talented guy. Can't believe it, he will be missed.
  • 1 0
 My condolences to Burry's family. Huge loss for everyone....
  • 2 0
 R.I.P You will be missed
  • 1 0
 uma grande perda, um grande homen... grande atleta...
  • 1 0
 R.I.P Burry well done in 2012 u had a gret season R.I.P ;((((((((
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry, I'll never forget you!
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry, you will be missed.
  • 1 0
 Rip burry. You were a true inspiration. Your leg and will live on
  • 1 0
 My heart breaks for Burry's family and friends...rest in peace,
  • 1 0
 RIP!!! may the Lord Bless your young soul.
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry and my love goes out to your family & friends!
  • 3 2
 Hey, can you tell me how the riding is in heaven?
  • 1 0
 such a tragic event not a good way to start the new year Frown
  • 2 0
 R.i.p bro.
  • 2 0
 so sad,,,RIP Burry
  • 2 0
 It's just a terrible thing to happen to someone so young . RIP mate
  • 3 0
 This is giving me flashbacks to what happened to Amy Gillet a few years ago, training ride, car, another rising star of cycling, a true talent and a great person, snatched away too soon. My thoughts are with his family, I hope they can look to the Amy Gillet foundation in the future to try and make something positive from this tragedy. Ride In Peace.
  • 2 0
 Ride in Peace Burry
  • 2 0
 RIP Burry
  • 2 0
 only the good die young.
  • 3 1
 not cool
  • 2 0
 RIP... Frown
  • 1 0
 Way too young, a real tradgy.
  • 1 0
 very sad Ride In Paradise
  • 2 0
 So sad
  • 2 0
 Rid in Peace man
  • 1 0
 Wow rip bro Frown Sharing the road is EXTREMELY dangerous!!! heads up peeps!
  • 1 0
 The good one's die young, RIP you will be missed by many
  • 2 0
 R.I.P.
  • 2 0
 R.I.P Burry
  • 1 0
 Still too early! Anyway Rest In Peace.
  • 2 0
 Ride In Peace!
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace Burry. Hope you're having the ride of your life up there.
  • 2 0
 Keep on ripping...
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace pal...My condolences to his family & friends.
  • 2 0
 R.I.P.
  • 2 0
 Ride in Peace
  • 1 0
 He had such a promising career...RIP
  • 1 0
 Rest in peace , no age at all.
  • 2 0
 Rest in peace my man
  • 2 0
 so sad to hear this.
  • 2 0
 RIP Burry Stander...
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry you will be missed.
  • 2 0
 Ride in Peace
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry.... and what a truly touching message from David Hyam.
  • 1 0
 So sad to see a young rider pass away in such a tragic way :/
  • 2 0
 R.I.P mate.
  • 2 0
 D.E.P
  • 2 0
 Rest In Peace.
  • 2 0
 R.I.P Burry
  • 1 0
 Geez that's sad. Ride in peace, friend. We're all part of a family.
  • 1 0
 RIP so young,but he left his mark in the cycling world,champion rider
  • 1 0
 What a crime, condolences to the family...
  • 1 0
 god, give us back burry we will give you justin bieber
  • 1 0
 Saddened to hear of this, hope he's shredding up there
  • 1 0
 the best always die faar to young r.i.p Frown
  • 2 1
 R.I.P Ride In Paradise
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry
  • 1 0
 R.I.P Bru.
  • 2 1
 R.I.P!!! POD!!!
  • 1 0
 He's Mountainbike master Salute R.I.P
  • 1 0
 SAD. RIP
  • 1 0
 Ride In Peace Burry Frown
  • 1 1
 thought he was a chick at first lol Ride in peace dude
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry
  • 1 0
 god bless Bury Stander
  • 1 0
 R.I.P Burry
  • 1 0
 GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry...
  • 1 0
 rip burry......
  • 2 1
 thats so balls Frown RIP
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry
  • 1 0
 Tragic...only 25... RIP
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry I*I
  • 1 0
 RIP bro.
  • 1 0
 RIP from oz.
  • 1 0
 R.I.P ride on Burry
  • 1 0
 Praying for the family
  • 1 0
 RIP Burry god bless
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