Tragedy on Spain’s Montgó as Swiss cyclist dies suddenly during ride

A 55-year-old Swiss cyclist has died suddenly while riding along one of the most popular routes between Dénia and Javea on Friday, September 25.

The man was cycling along the Carretera de Les Planes, which crosses the Montgó Natural Park and connects the two Costa Blanca towns, when he suffered what is believed to have been a sudden cardiac problem.

The emergency unfolded during the morning in the Dénia section of the road, a route regularly used by both local cyclists and visiting cycling groups.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene

Emergency services were called after the cyclist became unwell while riding.

A SAMU medical unit was dispatched to the scene, where medical staff immediately began resuscitation efforts. Despite attempts to revive him, the cyclist could not be saved and died at the roadside.

The man was born in 1971 and was 55 years old. He was a Swiss national.

The circumstances reported so far indicate that he may have suffered a heart attack while cycling. The exact circumstances surrounding the death will be determined through the relevant judicial procedures.

A judicial commission was also notified so that the body could be formally removed from the scene.

Road through Montgó temporarily closed

The emergency operation also had an impact on traffic through the Montgó.

The Carretera de Les Planes was temporarily restricted in the direction from Dénia towards Javea while emergency and security teams worked at the scene.

Officers from the Guardia Civil and Policía Local de Dénia attended the incident and helped manage traffic around the affected section of road.

The temporary closure caused disruption on a route that can be busy, particularly with cyclists and other visitors travelling between the two towns.

Popular route for cyclists

The Carretera de Les Planes is a well-known route for cyclists travelling through the Montgó Natural Park.

Its location between Dénia and Javea makes it a popular choice for both recreational cyclists and more experienced riders, with cycling groups and professional teams also known to train in the area.

Friday’s tragedy therefore occurred on a road familiar to many members of the cycling community on the northern Costa Blanca.

The death is understood to have followed a sudden medical emergency rather than a collision with another vehicle, although the circumstances remain subject to the appropriate official procedures.

The incident brought emergency services and police to the scenic mountain route on Friday morning as authorities dealt with the tragic death and secured the road.

The identity of the cyclist has not been publicly released.

The news comes as cyclists continue to use the roads around the Montgó, one of the Marina Alta’s most recognisable natural landmarks, as a popular route for exploring the landscape between Dénia and Javea.