OBRA racer David Oliphant died late Tuesday evening after collapsing just past the finish line at the tradional PIR Tuesday Nighter races in North Portland. On-site medics attended Oliphant until paramedics arrived and rushed him to a local hospital, where emergency room doctors were unable to revive him.
OBRA Executive Director Kenji Sugahara confirmed to BikePortland.com that Oliphant died of a heart-related condition. Oliphant, 47, raced with the Therapeutic Associates/GENR8 team and was an integral part of keeping the team rolling, Sugahara indicated in a statement sent to media.
“David was an excellent racer with a matching sunny personality,” Sugahara said. “With a positive disposition, his teammates called him the glue that holds our team together. We have lost a great competitor and a valuable member of our racing community. David will be dearly missed by all of us. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates.”
Oliphant, a top competitor for many years in the OBRA ranks, was competing Tuesday night in the Cat 1/2/3 race at Portland International Raceway and had been typically active in the day’s breakaways and hot spot sprints. After finishing near the front of the evening’s finale, Oliphant collapsed on the tarmac about 200 yards past the finish line. He was immediately attended to, both by medically trained competitors in the field and on-site staff. EMT and Fire personnel arrived and continued to work on Oliphant before rushing him to a local hospital.
A memorial circuit in Oliphant’s honor is planned for tonight’s Masters race at Mt. Tabor. There will also be a memorial lap at PIR on June 15 at 6:30 p.m. Duncan, Oliphant’s brother, will lead this ride at the front with his friends. Oliphant’s family will be attending. Those wishing to celebrate and remember David are invited.
2 comments:
Thank you so much for this wonderful and thoughtful post. Our family appreciates your kind words. We are deeply grieved at the heavenly journey of our brother, son, uncle and husband and friend. We know, however, that David is with his Lord and Savior.
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