A cyclist from Turkiye’s Totospor team, who crashed during the fifth stage of the Iran-Azerbaijan Cycling Tour, has died from severe injuries sustained in the accident.

Axar.az reports that according to ISNA, during the fifth and final stage of the tour—from Sarein to Tabriz—members of the Turkish Totospor team collided and fell. One of the cyclists, Mustafa Ayvurkan, suffered critical injuries and was first taken by ambulance to Sarab Hospital and later transferred to a hospital in Tabriz.

Despite medical efforts, Ayvurkan passed away due to a traumatic brain injury, as confirmed by doctors. The President of Iran’s Cycling Federation confirmed the tragic news in a statement to ISNA.

Earlier, the head coach of the Turkish team had confirmed the crash involving team members during the final stage.

In an interview with ISNA, Rasoul Asadi explained that while two of the cyclists managed to continue the race after the crash, Ayvurkan was hospitalized due to the severity of his injuries. “We have followed the cyclist’s condition closely from the beginning, and we are now coordinating with the Turkish Consulate in Iran and the Turkish Cycling Federation to arrange the repatriation of his body,” he said.