Marco Fidalgo Passes Away Following Motorcycle Crash

Jan 16, 2019
by Paul Aston  
photo


Portuguese mountain bike legend, Marco Fidalgo, has passed away in a motorbike accident at the age of 38.

Marco first started racing cross country in 1994 and then converted to downhill after competing in Portugal's first ever downhill race. By the year 2000 he had become Portugal's first professional mountain biker and was a legend in his home country with wins in National Championships, 4X Nationals and urban downhill races. After numerous titles, victories, falls and injuries, Marco stepped away from downhill and started racing enduro alongside promoting mountain biking in his home country through events and content creation. He will be best remembered for his infectious smile, love for riding and huge influence on the sport in Portugal.

Marco was riding in the woods in Gândaras above his home in Lousa last night when the crash happened. His family were concerned that he had not returned when he said he would so they alerted the local authorities at 9:15pm. A search was raised and Marco was found dead at the scene. Full details of the incident are not yet known.

Marco leaves behind his 11-year-old son Santiago, who shares his father's burning passion for mountain bikes. Our thoughts go out to Santiago as well as all of Marco's family and friends in this difficult time.


bigquotesI knew Marco well, I first met him at an enduro race about seven years ago. He was setting off in front of me on each stage and we became friends for life on that day. I also spent a month in his hometown of Lousa four years ago, and we also spent some time in Madeira shooting and riding together. Marco did it all, he was a legend, a Portuguese Steve Peat: XC racing, downhill, enduro, moto, training, filming, developing product, he published his own magazine regularly, and was one of the first forward thinkers to pioneer social media as his platform.

Above all, he loved his boy Santiago, who is growing up to be an expert mountain biker following in the footsteps of his dad. They rode together every week, Marco built custom mini-DH bikes for him as a kid, taught him to ride, and offered him a future as a professional bike athlete – a way to make a dream in a struggling country.

Ultimately, doing what he loved took his life, but he would not have wanted it to end any other way. He lived his life full-gas with 100% commitment, and I'm sure that throttle was open all the way to the end. Rest In Peace, Marco.
Paul Aston


Images from A Drop in the Ocean - Madeira Islands Video.
My last ride with Marco and his infectious smile. Madeira 2015.



Marco Fidalgo (1980-2019)


The following short video is from Marco's youtube channel, and couldn't be a more poignant message for him to leave behind:


bigquotesYesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery,
but today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present
A.A.Milne


Author Info:
astonmtb avatar

Member since Aug 23, 2009
486 articles

88 Comments
  • 227 6
 If you want to be happy for a day, drink. If you want to be happy for a year, marry. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, ride. RIP my friend.
  • 35 0
 Thats going on my workshop wall. Never knew or heard of Marco, however always sad to hear of positive people passing too soon.
  • 38 5
 Marriage and riding are compatible
  • 5 0
 WORD
  • 23 0
 @RedBurn: Agreed, I can't ever get my wife out on a bike, but she supports me in riding mine 100%
  • 1 0
 Thats bang on I am going to adopt it thanks, RIP
  • 2 0
 Nice one. Ride In Paradise, Marco.
  • 2 0
 @RedBurn: That depends!
  • 1 0
 @RedBurn: and drinking especially...
  • 1 0
 Like that...RideOn!!!
  • 33 0
 Thank you for your words, Paul. Marco was a inspiration to us all, he worked really hard to achieve the dream of riding bikes for a living. I personally knew him since 1994,always super fast but even more friendly to everyone and willing to help a newcomer. It's a very sad day to portuguese mtb.
  • 6 0
 About the same time I met him too, super friendly guy, and yes one of the first if not the first to make a living from riding bikes here in Portugal, respect and R.ide I.n P.eace!
  • 23 0
 Yet another legend lost too young. I sponsored Marco years ago on Iron Horse and always kept an eye on his career and riding thru social media. We'd occasionally bump into each other at races or trade shows and there would always be a warm smile. Having an 11-year old myself this one stings in a different way than some of the others. Ride on Marco!
  • 19 3
 So many former greats end up going down on dirt bikes. Stick with bikes, much safer
  • 11 0
 Marco was always working to live the dream of being a mtb professional in a country where this sport means nothing to the majority of the population and big companies. To me that's the reason of his constant smile, to be working and doing what he loved the most, to fully acomplish his dreams. Never stop dreaming and fight for your dreams to come true, that's the biggest lesson I learn from Marco. RIP MARCO and STAY STRONG SANTI! Your father will take care of you from up above!
  • 10 0
 We met Marco and Santiago at the Rookies race in Austria and Crankworx Whistler and you could tell they had a special bond between them. I know Marco was very respected, and his passing is going to leave a big hole in our community. Our thoughts are with Santiago, and his family.
  • 10 0
 Im absoultely shocked i knew him like Paul, i have video if him and me riding together, he was unique. He was also sponsored by Shimano and Sram at the same time, quite a feat. He fave me the firstlook at the Shimano XTR with 40t before any other journalist had seen it in Europe, we rode the lift together and chatted, he was a really great guy. Im shocked. So sad for family as well.
  • 10 0
 What a sad story. I did not know Marco, but I saw him with his son riding in Whistler this summer. Big smile every lap. I can't imagine what goes in the head of his son right now and wish him the best. RIP
  • 9 0
 shit... this is sad... He was a great guy and did a lot for the sport in Portugal. best regards for the family and specialy Santiago, keep your will to ride.
  • 10 0
 RIP Marco, the Portuguese and Spanish mtb family is missing you already.
  • 8 0
 Another biker that died on a motorcycle Frown
  • 1 0
 Stevie Smith, was or on a motocross circuit ?
  • 1 0
 @RedBurn: I believe Stevie was also riding in the woods near his home.
  • 4 0
 I always think it is best to die doing something that you love than rotting away doing something else whilst wishing you would have followed your dreams. Sad for the little boy and his wife family and friends! I am sure the Portuguese MTB community in the area will look out for him! RIP buddy!
  • 4 0
 woke up this morning with tons of messages on my cell from portuguese friends and then saw the news... is a sad day for MTB in Portugal and Spain, Marco was the most visible face of our sport in Portugal, always smiling, always willing to help anyone, with fresh ideas and amazing energy... RIP amigo
  • 2 0
 Wow, that's really a sad news! Marco was definitely one of the most friendly and positive person I got to know in Italy while taking part at the Superenduro races. Few rides together and we kept in touch for many years! One of the few persons I know, which managed to live the dream and kept doing it in an humble way. Have a good one, Marco!
  • 1 0
 Sempre foste uma inspiração para mim. Foste um dos meus primeiros modelos a seguir quando iniciei no downhill. A minha primeira bicicleta de iniciação foi uma Berg stuka, uma máquina criada por ti. Lembro me dos tempos em que ias às escolas promover a prática de btt nos jovens. Pinochet serás sempre lembrado como um herói na lousa, em Portugal, na Europa e no mundo. Tenho a certeza que o teu filho vai ser outra lenda, vai homenagiarte todos os dias todos os rides. RIP my friend estarás sempre connosco.
  • 4 0
 Never heard of him, but reading Paul Astons words has made this sting quite a bit
  • 5 0
 in tears. so sad. chin up Santiago
  • 4 0
 The EWS in Madeira will have a little bit of poignancy this year. My heart goes out to the Portuguese mtb community.
  • 3 0
 So terribly sad. Stay strong young man and keep riding. Riding my bike has helped pull me through some of the saddest and hardest times in my life. R.I.P. Marco.
  • 2 0
 RIP
Meus sinceros sentimentos para a família e amigos e um grande abraço para o Santiago. Tambem tenho filhos... Por isso...Muita força e um grande abraço neste momento tão dificil para ti.
Abraço
  • 1 0
 Died dirt bashing on his Motorbike?
So sad. R.I.P.

I would love to visit Portugal to ride but save the dirt for my mtb and ride the roads on my motorbike. I hear you guys have the best of both worlds there with great roads and great mtb-ing.

All the best to his family and friends who he leaves behind.
  • 3 0
 Sleep well, Marco. As a father, I do not want to imagine how your son feels right now. stay strong Santiago
  • 4 0
 Be careful on the motorpickles, everybody.
  • 1 0
 These things are way too dangerous
  • 4 0
 Picture on his bike.........we all have that same smile..Ride in peace.
  • 1 0
 RIP Marco. First met him out in Tolfa for the Superenduro round there in 2013. Not only fast as hell (he finished 2nd) but just buzzing with energy and always smiling. One of the greats.
  • 2 0
 Ride In Peace Marco, glad to have crossed our paths toghether. You were full commitment at what you love with love, as I tried too.
  • 2 1
 Um lutador que por um momento baixou a guarda e sofreu um golpe que o impediu de completar a missão de viver e acompanhar o filho até mais tarde .Tristeza ,foi cedo de mais ....
  • 2 0
 Rest in peace Marco ???????? The world has lost yet another great person...Peace and love to you and your family dude
  • 2 1
 Very sad, especially for his family. Looks like he was on top of the world too. lesson to learn is, you can't go through life full throttle. RIP
  • 1 0
 ???????? just gotta enjoy it as much as you can,we all only get one shot at life soo smile make others smile and do your best to be happy,marco done it with style ????????
Rip
  • 1 0
 Sorry bout question marks was ment to be an emoji.. /Frown
  • 3 0
 Ride In Peace "Pinochet"!
  • 2 0
 So sad, my friend. Ride in peace.
  • 1 0
 Crossed paths with marco at the races quite a few times over the years, top top bloke, will be greatly missed.
  • 1 0
 Such a sad moment for all the MTB community in Portugal and all over the world, you will be greatly missed.
  • 2 0
 Uma inspiração, um Amigo, um exemplo.
Até já my friend.
  • 2 0
 Obrigado por tudo!
Serás sempre lembrado!
Descansa em Paz My Friends
  • 2 0
 Dang..... Rest in peace to a real one Frown
  • 2 0
 How devistating! Prayers out for his family.
  • 1 0
 sad to hear this, but in the end he must have died with a smile on his face RIDE IN PEACE
  • 2 0
 Motorbikes .. the chainsaw now Marco. RIP
  • 2 0
 Sad day it is ,to the family os meus pêsames,I raise my beer for you RIP
  • 1 0
 RIP old friend. Ride allways by your son.
  • 1 0
 Sad day... Ride in peace!
  • 1 0
 Ride in peace. Thhank you for all that you have done for this sport Frown
  • 2 0
 R.I.P.
  • 2 0
 Shred to heaven Marco
  • 1 0
 Sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.
  • 1 0
 Very sorry to hear this......vid was great and dead on. Ride in peace
  • 1 0
 Manda te asas dum anjo pra visitar teu filho.
  • 1 0
 Is their a link to send money to his family?
  • 1 0
 RIP Frown
Só hoje vi isto.
Muita força à família e amigos próximos.
  • 1 0
 RIP Marco Frown
  • 1 0
 RIP Marco
  • 1 0
 RIP
  • 1 0
 Ride in peace
  • 1 0
 Ride in Piece
  • 1 0
 R.i.p.
  • 1 0
 Ride in peace
  • 1 0
 RIDE IN PEACE
  • 1 0
 'Til Valhalla !
  • 1 0
 Godspeed & send it!
  • 1 0
 Ride in Peace Marco!
  • 1 0
 Goodbye Marco...
  • 1 0
 so sad...
  • 1 0
 RIP
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