Sule Kangi died Saturday after crashing at The Overland gravel race in Vermont.

"We are completely heartbroken by the tragic death of Suleiman "Sule" Kangi at The Overland yesterday," race organizers said in a statement on Instagram.

"He was a kind friend and an inspiring and heroic athlete to his teammates and the entire gravel cycling community.

"Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, Team AMANI, and the people of Kenya who mourn his passing today."

The 33-year-old was captain of Team AMANI (a non-profit organization that promotes inclusivity in cycling and creates opportunities for African-based riders) and was working on a block of gravel races in the US.

Kangangi, who raced on the road for many years before turning his focus to gravel and off-road events, began racing in the U.S. at the Leadville Trail 100 MTB on August 13 and later joined teammates John Kariuki and Nancy Along with Akinyi and Jordan Shurek of Uganda, he participated in the SBT GRVL in Colorado on August 14, the Gravel Worlds in Nebraska on August 20, and The Overland on Saturday, August 27.

"Sule is our captain, friend, and brother. He is a father, a husband, and a son," Team AMANI said on Instagram. 'When a giant falls, there is a gaping hole. Sule was a giant

"Instead of leading us at the head of the pack, he will now be the North Star guiding us as we push forward to realize his dreams."

"Pumusika Kwa Amani Sule, you are always with us."

A GoFundMe page has been set up, and organizers say that memorial funds will be dedicated to support Sule's wife and children.

"Sule Kangi was not only the captain of Team AMANI, but also a leader in African cycling." His dream of promoting East African cycling to the world was becoming a tangible reality as he had the opportunity to race in the United States for the first time in the past few weeks."

." After the final race of this first visit to the US, which should have celebrated John Kariuki's victory and Jordan Schleck's third place, we are mourning and facing the great loss of a great cyclist and a tremendous human being."

The entire Cycling News team extends its deepest condolences to Kangangi's family, friends, and teammates.