‘Deep sorrow and immense pain’ – EOLO-KOMETA confirm Arturo Gravalos passed away at 25
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ByEurosport
Published 19/05/2023 at 09:04 GMT
Arturo Gravalos has passed away at the age of 25, his team EOLO-KOMETA have confirmed in a statement released on Friday morning. Gravalos had been battling with a brain tumour for a couple of years after having issues whilst training in 2021. "His will to live, always present even before the onset of the disease, left us thousands of magical moments," the statement read.
Arturo Grávalos (EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team)
Image credit: Imago
EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team, the outfit owned by Spanish legend Alberto Contador, have confirmed that rider Arturo Gravalos has passed away at the age of 25.
Gravalos, who joined the team in 2019, underwent surgery in 2021 after the discovery of a brain tumour when he had complained of discomfort when training.
Whilst the operation went well he had to have multiple further surgeries to try and remove the tumour.
In a statement on Friday the team confirmed his passing early the same morning. His last race was at the Giro del Medio Brenta in 2021.
The team statement read: “It is with deep sorry and immense pain that EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team announces the passing away of our rider Arturo Gravalos early this morning.
“The Riojan cyclist had turned 25 years old last March 2. His death leaves an irreplaceable hole in our hearts, since we will never forgot his joy and everlasting smile.
“His will to live, always present even before the onset of the disease, left us thousands of magical moments in and out of competition.
“Gravalos underwent surgery in November 2021 for a brain tumour that had been diagnosed a few weeks earlier, after several days with strange sensations during training. The evolution of that operation was very positive, but the cyclist had to undergo surgery several times to try and eradicate a tumour.
“Arturo never gave up, because that was his nature, to put on a race bib again. He did not set a deadline for that return, but he was clear that he was going to face each race as an opportunity given to him by life.
“Arturo wanted to leave his mark in the sport he loved so much and in which he generated so much affection; that mark that he left so well to the suffering of rivals in those accelerations that he starred in during his time in the amateur field or even already professional, as in his last race: the Giro del Medio Brenta of 2021.
“Life put so many obstacles in front of him in recent times and he always, always, reacted with the best of his face, overcoming them with the greatest of positivism. He kept his sorrow or regret to himself, refusing to give it continuity. Armed with his huge smile, his closeness and his frankness, he was all about building, supporting, praising and thanking. We will never forget you, Arturo. Rest in peace.
“We ask the utmost respect for his family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”
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