The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Cycling world united in grief
DALGETY BAY: Ex-champion Craig loses cancer battle
The Scottish cycling community is in mourning following the death of former champion Craig Hardie.
The well-known Fifer lost his brave fivemonth battle with liver cancer on Wednesday.
His wife Lynn and daughter Lois held his hands as he died.
Tributes have been pouring in for the Dalgety Bay cyclist, who ran Hardie Bikes in Cairneyhill. Former Olympic and Commonweath Games cyclist Brian Smith said: “A truly remarkable and energetic guy has been lost.”
A spokesman for Dunfermline Cycling Club said: “He was one of a kind and his versatility, skill as a mechanic and bikehandling talents were beyond compare.”
Craig won numerous championships during his long career and was also renowned in Highland games circles.
Tributes have been pouring in for former Scottish cycling champion Craig Hardie, who has died after a battle with cancer.
The well-known Fifer was diagnosed with cancer of the liver in September and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
His wife Lynn and daughter Lois announced his death in an emotional tweet on Wednesday.
They revealed how they held his hands as he died.
Craig, who ran Hardie Bikes in Cairneyhill, had raced in all types of cycling disciplines during his 20year career.
Former Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist Brian Smith was one of the first to offer his condolences.
He described Craig as “an amazing person who lived for his family and his bike”.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing this morning,” he said.
“A truly remarkable and energetic guy has been lost.”
Commonweath silver medallist Charline Jones said: “Craig was so inspiring in so many ways, his attitude to life, his positivity and high energy was always a pleasure to be around.
“Craig always helped me when I needed it on and off the bike.”
Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond, who cycled alongside Craig with Dunfermline Cycling Club, described news of his death as devastating.
“Craig made me feel so welcome when I started cycling with Dunfermline,” he said.
“His enthusiasm and passion for cycling was infectious.”
Originally from Dalgety Bay, Craig began racing mountain bikes in the 1990s. He won numerous championships and went on to become Scottish champion in cyclo-cross and grass track several times.
He was also well known on the Highland games circuit and speedway circles.
Throughout his career, Craig was known for servicing his own bikes and those of other competitors.
This led to him setting up his own shop where he was an expert in all types of repairs.
And he was renowned for advising new cyclists on how to keep safe on and off road.
He was also a founder member of Fife Cycle Speedway Club.
Fellow-members said they were “deeply saddened” to learn of his death.
Craig Burn, chief executive of Scottish Cycling, also paid tribute to the former champion.
“Craig will be a massive loss to all that knew him and all the Scottish cycling community,” he said.
“He welcomed me into the sport a decade ago and we enjoyed many conversations over the years.”
One of the most heartfelt tributes, however, came from his club in Dunfermline.
The cycling club issued a statement saying they were both shocked and saddened to hear of Craig’s death.
“He was, without doubt, one of the stalwarts of the club and the wider cycling community,” they said.
“His character and boundless energy is a huge loss to us all.
“Craig was known to us in many guises as a bike fixer, competitor, mentor, occasional wheelie popper and a good pal.
“He was one of a kind and his versatility, skill as a mechanic and bikehandling talents were beyond compare.
“It’s hard to believe we won’t see him out on the bun runs any more.”
Craig was so inspiring in so many ways... always a pleasure to be around