Social media tributes have poured in for Paul Sherwen from around the world following the news of the Tour de France commentator and former professional cyclist’s death.
Shortly after the 62-year-old’s passing, long-time colleague Phil Liggett said on Twitter that he had scrolled through tweets non-stop for 45 minutes and then went back to the top to find 600 new ones. Sherwen passed away in his sleep as a result of heart failure on Sunday.
@PaulSherwen‘s family have now told me that the result of the post mortem was heart failure. Again, your tributes are very special, and thank you all. The outpouring of grief has simply never been so great for a cycling commentator. Love you all.
— Phil Liggett (@PhilLiggett) December 3, 2018
I have scrolled through Tweets non-stop for 45mins and then went back to the top and found 600 new ones. @PaulSherwen would have been so proud to know how much you thought him. Thank you all. Riders, friends, fans, federation, media for your expressions of love
— Phil Liggett (@PhilLiggett) December 3, 2018
Liggett also tweeted that he “went to bed in Africa with a heavy heart last night feeling sadness like never before”.
I went to bed in Africa with a heavy heart last night feeling sadness like never before. My team mate for 33 years was no longer with me. Your hundreds of messages showed how well @PaulSherwen was loved. Let’s think of Katherine and his children with love just now.
— Phil Liggett (@PhilLiggett) December 3, 2018
Former Orica–GreenEdge professional cyclist Robbie McEwen said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of his passing.
I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Sherwen. An absolute gentleman – I knew him for over 20 years & listened to him & Phil for almost 30. Always generous with his time, I learnt plenty working alongside him. My sincere condolences to his family & loved ones pic.twitter.com/lLTe0bDdXC
— Robbie McEwen (@mcewenrobbie) December 2, 2018
Team Sky’s Chris Froome, who is the current Giro d’Italia champion, tweeted that he was “incredibly sad” to hear the news.
Like many others my first experience of the Tour de France was @PaulSherwen’s commentary. Incredibly sad to hear of his passing.
Pumzika kwa amani rafiki.
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) December 3, 2018
Team Dimension Data extended their “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of Sherwen and said that “his was a voice that brought the joys of our sport to life for millions of fans around the world”.
We’d like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Paul Sherwen.
His was a voice that brought the joys of our sport to life for millions of fans around the world and he will be deeply missed.
RIP
— Team Dimension Data (@TeamDiData) December 2, 2018
A tweet was published by the Tour de France organisation, which stated how “deeply saddened” they were.
All the Tour de France organisation is deeply saddened by the passing of @PaulSherwen . He has been a great rider and an iconic voice of Le Tour over many years. All our thoughts go to his family, friends and colleagues. pic.twitter.com/sZcH5hWjv9
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) December 3, 2018
South Africa’s Daryl Impey thanked Sherwen for all he had done for him and the sport.
RIP @PaulSherwen . We will miss you at the races and your voice on the TV. A man who made cycling come alive , Paul will be missed by many . Thanks for all you have done for me and the sport of cycling .
— Daryl Impey (@darylimpey) December 3, 2018
