The cycling community mourns the untimely demise of Magnus White, a burgeoning star in USA Cycling, who was fatally struck and killed in Colorado last month while preparing for the upcoming world championships in Scotland.
Jill and Michael White, Magnus’s parents, addressed the heart-wrenching loss of their 17-year-old son in a statement released on Thursday. They revealed that an investigation is currently underway into the circumstances surrounding his tragic death and urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact Colorado State Police.
In their statement, the White family expressed their bewilderment over the incident: “We do not yet know why Magnus was killed while riding his bike on a designated bike route, on a straight road with a wide shoulder, in broad daylight.”
Magnus White had been set to join the USA Cycling team abroad to compete in the prestigious Mountain Bike World Championships. He was proudly wearing his American jersey at the time of the accident.
“Magnus discovered his passion early in life and wholeheartedly dedicated himself to it. He pursued his goals with unwavering determination and never took shortcuts,” the family statement affirmed. While grappling with their immense grief, they draw inspiration from Magnus’s spirit: “Though our grief feels unbearable, we will carry on because Magnus would expect nothing less. To quote his favorite childhood book, ‘We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. We’ve got to go through it.'”
The Whites acknowledge the overwhelming support from their community and express gratitude for the outpouring of assistance. They pledge to honor Magnus’s memory and legacy through the generous donations received: “We will honor your commitment to Magnus and use your generous donations to support his legacy.”
Magnus White had been rapidly ascending as a multidisciplinary talent in cycling. He secured a junior national championship in cyclocross in 2021 and earned a spot on the U.S. national team. He also represented Team USA in Europe, showcasing his skills on the international stage ahead of the cyclocross world championships last year.