Note: This story has been rewritten to reflect details that have changed significantly since it was written Tuesday night.
More devastating news, as cyclocross legend Laurence Malone was killed in a collision near Lancaster on Monday
The tragic news was announced by the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, which said only that Lawrence was killed in a collision, leading to significant confusion and rumors.
Despite initial reports that he was riding his bike, Laurence, who was inducted into the hall four years ago, was killed in a head-on crash with a semi driver while driving his car on Highway 138 west of Lancaster.
Cyclocross Magazine had originally said Malone wasn’t carrying an ID or cellphone, and the only identification he had with him was his hall of fame badge.
However, in a detailed update to the quickly evolving story, the magazine explains that Malone’s wallet was actually hidden in the crumpled wreckage of his car.
Malone typically kept his wallet under the driver’s seat, according to Price, but kept a few meaningful momentos on his dashboard, including his letter from cycling legend George Mount welcoming him into the 2017 class for the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.
This letter was the form of identification authorities could easily retrieve from the wreckage. They contacted the Hall of Fame, and George Mount set about trying to reach Malone’s next of kin.
Malone was the first person to win the US men’s national cyclocross title after it was revived in 1970, and just the fifth since the race began in 1963; the women’s race didn’t begin until 1975.
He went on to win the title a remarkable five consecutive times, still the record for the most wins.
Malone was reportedly on his way back from Ojai to his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
He is the second noted cyclist to die in two days, after master’s age group national road champ Gwen Inglis was killed by an alleged stoned driver in Lakewood, Colorado on Sunday.
Photo by Aidan Nguyen from Pexels.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Laurence Malone and all his loved ones.
Thanks to David Huntsman for the heads-up.
My heart breaks remembering mid night rides to moon rocks, descending into artichokes fields, harvesting those that Lorenzo sautéed, as the morning sun broke through the early Santa Cruz sky.
Empathy surrounding those people he gathered .. Malik from Ethiopia, Jim from So Africa .. the dinners, the stories . the journeys and the sweet crimes we all shared.
The influence he had on my son .. and the love I had for him: tho would never claim ..he was attracted to the deep and tragic, the drama and depth. I needed light.
Dancing at moon rock and drowning in the sea. Talking to the moon.
This is my memory.