Local cyclists dedicated a mass ride through Joburg, on Friday (January 4 2012), to mountain biker Burry Stander who was killed in a collision with a taxi on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast this week. Above: Thousands of fellow cyclists gathered for the memorial of the late South African Olympic mountain bike champion. Pictures: Herman Verwey/City Press

Stander (25) was making his way back from a training ride in Shelley Beach, on the KZN south coast. The minibus taxi driver has been charged with culpable homicide.

The memorial ride included the cycling tradition of a white bicycle being chained to the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Newtown in memory of a dead cyclist.

The news of Stander’s death shocked the cycling world and many fans. Andrew Swain tweeted: “Shocked to hear Burry Stander has been killed. His performance #london2012 Mountain Bike Race was inspiring. Shocked. #RIPBurry.”

Stander represented team SA in many world challenges and in the men’s cross country race at the 2012 London Olympics, in which he came fifth.

“For us Burry will always be more than just a mountain-bike champion. In fact, he was a champion on and off his bike,” his father Charles said. Stander’s funeral arrangements are still to be confirmed.