10 February 2023 , 10:02
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Teenage cycling star Estela Dominguez has been tragically killed after being hit by a truck during training.
The 19-year-old was on her bike in Salamanca in northwestern Spain on Thursday evening, when the fatal collision took place at around 6:30pm. According to Spanish media source Interia Sport, emergency services attended the scene but were unable to revive her.
Dominguez was deemed to have a big future in the sport, having recently signed for Sopela Women's Team. The professional UCI professional road race outfit is highly regarded, and have since released a statement paying tribute to Dominguez.
"With immense pain , we have learned that our cyclist Estela Dominguez has died this afternoon, the victim of a hit-and-run while she was training. We accompany the family in these terrible moments. Rest in peace."
Dominguez finished fifth in the Women's Junior National Road Race last year, and participated in the World Cup event in January. She has also previously competed in cyclocross.
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The Spanish cycling federation said everyone involved in the sport in the country were in "mourning." A statement read: "From the RFEC, we deeply regret the death of Estela Dominguez. Our most sincere condolences to her family, friends and teammates. All Spanish cycling is in mourning. Please, always respect the cyclist on the road. Every bike goes a life."
Dominguez was signed for Sopela Women's Team (Twitter)Legendary Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde also paid tribute to the Tour de France hopeful: "There are no words that are useful in the face of something like this," he tweeted. "All my love to the family and friends of Estela Dominguez and especially her father [Juan Carlos Dominguez] with whom I shared the peloton in my early years."
The Spanish Eurosport channel added: "The death of Estela Dominguez has deeply shocked the world of cycling and there are numerous messages of condolence and encouragement for the family.
Her father, 51, was a professional rider from 1995 to 2006, competing in road races. His most famous moment was winning a stage at the Giro d'Italia.