The local cycling community is in shock after a promising young athlete died after being hit by a car on Friday.
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Tributes for Bendigo professional cyclist Jason Lowndes came from Cycling Australia and the Israel Cycling Academy team that Jason rode for.
The crash occurred on Sedgwick Road, Mandurang at 10.15am on Friday. The driver of the car, who was also taken to hospital, stopped at the scene and has been assisting police with their inquiries.
The Israel Cycling Academy statement said goodbye to their wonderful mate Jason, who had just celebrated his 23rd birthday.
“We are deeply grieved by the tragic death of our dear friend, rider, and teammate, Jason Lowndes,” the statement said.
“His constant broad smile, ever cheerful personality, and warm heart will be terribly missed forever by all of us.
“We wish to send our deep condolences to Jason's family and friends all over the world.”
In another post the Israel Cycling Academy quoted Jason’s teammate and friend Zak Dempster.
The post said Jason lived his life to the fullest and was impossible not to love.
Lowndes represented Australia at the Road World Championships in Qatar last year where he finished sixth in the under-23 road race.
Local cyclists ride for Jason
Hundreds of local cyclists were on the road this morning in a tribute to Jason Lowndes.
Vision of a large group of cyclists has been posted on Facebook by television program Full Cycle hosted by Olympic cyclists Scott McGrory and Brad McGee.
Floral tributes to Jason have also been laid at the crash site in Sedgwick Road.
McGrory remembered Jason on his Facebook today.
He said Jason would be remembered for his infectious smile and respectful mannerisms.
Principal remembers highly regarded former student
Bendigo Senior Secondary School principal Dale Pearce has said he was shocked by the news.
He said Jason was a highly regarded former student.
“The BSSC community is stunned and saddened by this news. Jason just got along so well with everyone and always had a smile on his face,” Mr Pearce said.
“He was passionate about his cycling and we had all followed the progress of his cycling career with great interest. Our deepest sympathies go out to Jason’s family and friends.”
“On a personal level I was Jason’s advisor through his time at the college and found him to be a really likeable young man.
“He had the world ahead of him doing the thing he loved most - getting on that bike. His close group of cycling student friends from that time will be devastated by this news as am I and Jason’s former teachers.”
Bendigo and District Cycling Club remember Jason
In a Facebook post on the Bendigo and District Cycling Club page, BDCC president Syd Anstee said Jason Lowndes will be sadly missed by many.
“To everyone that has had the pleasure to have meet and enjoyed the friendship Jason Lowndes, I would like to express on behalf of all BDCC members our deepest sympathies to the Lowndes family,” he wrote.
“Jason was more than a cyclist, he was a brother, a son , a teammate and most of all a friend.
“You will be sadly missed, my boy, by more people than you will ever know.”