Friends have paid tribute to a champion cyclist who died after falling from his bike in Canberra's north this morning.
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Robbie Williams, 27, fell from his bike on the Gungahlin Drive, near Belconnen Way about 6.17am this morning.
He is thought to have experienced an undisclosed medical condition, and was rushed to Calvary Hospital, where he later died.
The exact cause of the death is unclear, and police will conduct an autopsy later this week.
Police said there was no indication that the rider was involved in a collision.
Mr Williams was a talented professional cyclist, who won the highly-respected Goulburn to Sydney race, the second oldest cycling event in Australia.
He competed in Europe, riding for extended periods in Belgium and Spain, before returning to the domestic scene.
The Goulburn to Sydney, riding with the Drapac Porsche team, was the biggest win of his career in 2007.
He was part of the Nowra Velo Club, where he was club champion between six to eight times across every discipline.
Nowra Velo Club secretary Doug Holland said his death had left the cycling community in shock.
"He was one of the real nice guys," Mr Holland said.
"Never heard him say a bad word, he never snapped at anybody, he was a real nice guy and that's the big tragedy of it too."
Others who knew Mr Williams took to Twitter to pay tribute and pass on well wishes to his family.
His Drapac Porsche racing team described Mr Williams as "brilliant", and passed condolences on to the family.
"Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Robbie Williams. Such a brilliant teammate and so saddened by his passing #ridingforrobbie," the team wrote.
Mr Williams is understood to have spent the last two years away from competitive racing. He was recently engaged.
He was reportedly studying and working in Canberra, but living in Yass.
Sports commentator Matthew Keenan took to Twitter, describing Mr Williams as "Mr Nice".
"Shocked and a little teary. RIP Robbie Williams frm Goulburn-to-Citi, only 27, recently engaged, Mr Nice. Thoughts to family and friends."
Mr Williams was also a successful triathlete as a kid, but switched to cycling as a teenager, rising through the junior ranks of the sport.
