Tributes have been paid to Aidan Worden who died following a crash on Saturday morning in Lancashire
A young cycling champion has died after a collision involving a car during a training ride. Tributes are being paid to Aidan Worden, 18. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene in Darwen on Saturday morning despite efforts to save him.
Police said his family are being supported by specially-trained officers and detectives have launched an investigation into the collision.
Aidan, from Lancashire, was a talented BMX rider as a youngster and later moved into road racing. The teenager was a member of the 360 cycling team and had celebrated success in 2024, becoming the 25-mile time trial UK junior champion.
He was also the first placed junior cyclist at the 62nd Eddie Soens Memorial race last year at Aintree. The race is seen as a season opener in cycling, with the list of former winners said to read like a ’who’s who of British cycling’.
Paying tribute to him, Aidan’s friends and teammates said he was destined to become hugely successful.
In a moving tribute meanwhile, his cycling team said members were ’absolutely heartbroken’, reports Lancs Live.
They said: "It is with the deepest sadness that today we lost one of our young riders. At around 10.30am, while on a training ride with his mates, Aidan had an accident which resulted in him losing his life. Aidan has been part of 360 for over three years, during that time he has developed as a person, man and rider to a level few of us ever achieve. He never judged anyone and always supported others, especially when it came to fixing our bikes.
"Last year saw some amazing rides from the boy that set out a clear example of what a young person can achieve with the right determination. He is the current national 25TT Junior Champion and also enjoyed very much being first junior in last year’s Eddie Soens.
"As his coach and as teammates for the last three years, watching him grow, train and mentor others, we are absolutely heartbroken. Our thoughts are very much with his beloved family that he leaves behind. Rest in peace Aidan, you will be very much missed and always in our hearts."
Tributes have poured in from friends and teammates. One wrote: "Aiden wasn’t just a friend but he was an inspiration to the younger rides. He supported and helped everyone in his way. Aidan wasn’t just a cyclist or the best bike mechanic in the country but a friend and a teammate."
Lancashire Police said: "At 10.28am on Saturday February 1 we were called to reports of a collision between a cyclist and a car on Blacksnape Road, Hoddlesden, Darwen.
"Emergency services attended and very sadly, despite their best efforts, the cyclist, an 18-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene."
DS Matt Davidson said: "Our thoughts are with this young man’s family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. They are being supported by specially trained officers. An investigation is underway, and I am appealing for help from the public. If you witnessed this incident, have any dashcam/CCTV/doorbell footage, or any information that could assist us in our investigation, then please get in touch."
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