Few cycles might come to a stop today. A Helmet might rest on a hook forever now. The hums of a few gears shifting might be absent forever. Some might be left untied forever now.  The Cycling community in prayer and sorrow. An under-17 road race in Courcemont, located in the Sarthe department of France, witnessed a horrific scene today. The cyclists behind the leader witnessed death.

“The Joué-les-Tours Cycling Union is saddened to announce the sudden death of NOA SARTIS this Sunday at the age of 16. NOA was a key runner on our U17 team. In addition to his great sporting qualities, he triumphed this year on the velodromes (departmental and regional pursuit champion), in the Montlouis race, as well as in the St Aignan event,” announced the Union Cycliste Joué-les-Tours through their Facebook account. On Sunday, September 7, 2025, 16-year-old Noa Sartis collapsed during an under-17 race in Courcemont, located in the Sarthe department of France.

Leading the race with only a few kilometers to go, Sartis suddenly stopped, sat down, and lost consciousness. Despite immediate efforts by race officials, firefighters, and emergency medical teams (SMUR), he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. Sartis was a member of the Union Cycliste Joué-les-Tours (UCJT), a club based in Joué-lès-Tours, France. The cycling community is heartbroken, praying “RIP“.

They further wrote, “NOA was generous, combative, appreciated by his teammates, the coaches and the club’s directors. Today, it is a great shock, difficult to overcome for his family, his friends and teammates but all will be keen to honor his memory in the next competitions. All members of the Joué-les-Tours Cycling Union send our sincere condolences and all our support to his parents.🕊️🕊️.”

The president of the team, Stéphane Lemaître, described the moment as sudden and alarming, noting that Noa Sartis stopped on the side of the road without falling, sat down, and then lost consciousness, despite the rescuers’ efforts to revive him. Noa Sartis was a talented cyclist. The 16-year-old was a promise, a promise that with time, this teenager could be a big thing, a force of the cycle that could go on to dominate competitions. On the track, Noa Sartis claimed regional and departmental titles in the pursuit, dominating velodrome events with the pacing, power, and technique that marked him out as a specialist in short, intense efforts.

On the road, he turned that speed into victories, taking wins at Montlouis and Saint-Aignan, results that showed his race craft, sprint finish, and ability to close out races against his peers. At the national level, he also shone, finishing in 13th place in the French U17 (cadet) National Time Trial Championship (2025). The moment is sad for all of the Cycling community.

Cycling community mourns the loss

A user wrote, “How sad to leave so young☹️condolences to the family and the club.” A goodbye at just 16 is just too early; it breaks our hearts to think that his parents might be going through.  Another person paid their condolences, saying, “We are in shock and cannot believe it We had seen Noa the day before at the Saint Sauveur time trial We extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.🖤” Heart attack at just 16 years of age is in itself shocking.

“We will miss you Noa😪😪 Rest in peace. My condolences to his family and loved ones.🙏 Thoughts for the Joué club and all his comrades. Without you at the races it won’t be the same.😪” wrote another user. The shock hit deep into the local community of Joué-lès-Tours, which also mourned his loss. The town hall expressed deep sorrow, calling Noa Sartis a passionate, talented, and promising young cyclist loved by all.

One person also commented, “Faced with the inexplicable, life reminds us that its fragility is matched only by its ephemeral beauty. In the momentum of a race, of a heart filled with passion, destiny has drawn a line that we will never understand. Her memory, both pain and light, invites us to cherish, more than before, each moment, in her memory.. rest in peace Noa.” That is a very philosophical approach to the tragedy, and perhaps the most poetic and tragic thing about him is that he passed away doing what he loved. Rest in Peace, Noa Sartis.