Olympian Katie Archibald has said she tried to save the life of her partner, a Scottish mountain biker, who died after going into cardiac arrest as he lay in bed next to her.

Rab Wardell passed away aged 37, just hours after appearing on TV to discuss his win at the Scottish MTB XC Championships on Sunday.

Archibald, a two-time Olympic track cycling champion, tweeted: “I think you’ve heard that Rab died yesterday morning.

“I still don’t understand what’s happened; if this is real; why he’d be taken now – so healthy and happy.

“He went into cardiac arrest while we were lying in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn’t bring him back.

“Mine stopped with it. I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he’s gone. I can’t describe this pain.”

Wardell won the elite title at Kirroughtree Forest after overcoming several punctures to secure victory on the final lap.

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He appeared on BBC Scotland’s The Nine programme on Monday evening to discuss it, but died later that night.

In a statement on Twitter, Scottish Cycling said: “We are devastated to confirm the news that international mountain biker & former employee, Rab Wardell, has passed away today.

“We have very little information at this stage, but we send our love & support to his family, friends & all those in our community who knew him.

“We ask that you respect Rab’s family’s privacy at this incredibly sad time.”

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