Aussie endurance bike champ dead

[Stuart]

Canberra elite mountain biker and former world solo 24-hour champion James Williamson has reportedly died while competing in South Africa.

According to the Cape Argus newspaper, Williamson, 26, died in Ceres in the Western Cape province while competing in the 722km Absa Cape Epic stage race, one of the highlights of the international endurance cross country mountain biking calendar.

In 2006 Williamson won the Australian 24-hour solo title, followed in 2008 when he won the World Solo 24-hour mountain bike Championships in Canmore, Canada. While competing with Lewis as part of a four-man team in October he also won the 2009 Scott 24-hour race at Mount Stromlo.