Gifted cyclist dies suddenly during ride

Patrick Avery. Photo / The Daily Post

Patrick Avery is today being described as one of New Zealand's most talented and gifted riders and a young man who was mates with everyone.

The Rotorua cycling community are in shock following the sudden death of the 21-year-old last night.

Avery, who was commonly known as Paddy, had been a Waiariki Academy of Sport athlete, was an XC MTB athlete, a welding and fabrication student, winner/podium NZ XC MTB U17, NZ MTB Cup winner 2010 and had been part of the NZ MTB Team.

A post on the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club Facebook page this morning said Avery died after falling from his bike early last night at Eastgate, opposite Rotorua Airport.

Cycling Rotorua president Peter Clark put the post on the Facebook page on behave of Avery's mother, Maryann Avery.

"If you have not heard Patrick fell off his bike towards the end of the Crit, there is a possibility he had a heart attack but we do not know the cause. Club members and the Fire Brigade Team spent 40 mins trying to resuscitate Paddy before the ambulance arrived who spent another 30 mins before transporting him to hospital. I believe they were unable to restart his heart.''

Mr Clark asked people to give their support and prayers to family members Maryann, Murray, Monique and Clinton.

The post said all of this week's club races had been cancelled as a mark of respect.

Sam Thompson, who was the academy's physical conditioner and was responsible for the bike squad, said Avery, started at the academy in 2009 as a cross country mountain biker. He was part of the academy until 2012 "but still very much what we call the WAOS (Waiariki Academy of Sport) family which is a close bunch of Rotorua athletes that stick together''.

"I knew Patrick for the last three years where I took care of all his physical testing on the bike and gym training, he still has all the records in my bike testing lab for any academy athlete and was one of the most talented and gifted riders I know.

"Patrick is known as the guy who was mates with everyone, who loved to have a good time and a laugh and everyone enjoyed being around. I will truly miss him and my heart goes out to his family.''