Spanish cyclist Jimenez dies at 32
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- Recently retired Spanish cyclist Jose Maria Jimenez died on Sunday at the age of 32.
Jimenez, who retired from cycling two years ago following a bout of depression, was taken into hospital in the early hours of the morning.
Jimenez, who raced for the ibanesto.com team in Spain, was one of his country's most popular cyclists and renowned for a fearless climbing style.
His best performances came in the Tour of Spain, including a third place overall in 1998 and three stage wins and the King of the Mountains prize in 2000.
"It's a premature death, one which we all regret," Manolo Saez, boss of the Spanish cycling team ONCE, told Radio Marca on Sunday.
"He was a great fighter who was trying to recover from his depression."
An autopsy was taking place, a spokesman for the Madrid coroner's office said.
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