Littleton Man Dies In Steamboat Springs Mountain Bike Race

LITTLETON, CO — A Littleton man died Saturday while competing in a mountain bike race near Steamboat Springs. The 45-year-old man stopped to rest on a bench near an aid station on Emerald Mountain, when he collapsed, Steamboat Pilot & Today reported. Race staff performed CPR on the man until first responders arrived at about 2:30 p.m.

The Routt County Coroner confirmed that Andrew Balika suffered a "sudden cardiac death," from genetic artery blockage, according to the report.

Honey Stinger, the company that organizes the race, posted a statement about Balika's death on the event's Facebook page.

"In the wake of this tragic incident, our entire team at Honey Stinger sends our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the rider, and to all who knew and rode with him," the statement read.

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Race organizers held a moment of silence to begin Sunday's race in remembrance of their "lost rider and friend."