Cycling: Remembering Magnus White
Jul. 31—Within the cycling community, "rising star" was the phrase often used to describe Boulder's Magnus White. On Saturday, the 17-year-old died after a driver struck him on a training ride.
As previously reported by the Daily Camera, a 23-year-old Westminster woman veered a Toyota Matrix into the shoulder of Diagonal Highway near 63rd Street that afternoon. White, who was riding his Trek Emonda SL 7 bike southbound, was pronounced dead after being ejected from his bike.
His parents, Michael and Jill White, released a statement Monday.
"Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the tragic loss of our beloved son, Magnus White," it read. "We've received an overwhelming outpouring of support from friends, colleagues and the cycling community, for which we are incredibly grateful. We are now realizing the incredible reach he had across the world."
White, a member of Team USA Cycling, was set to head to Scotland next week for the Junior Men's Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Championships. It was the next step in what had already proven to be an illustrious career.
Previously, he represented the USA in the 2022 and 2023 Cyclocross World Championships and won the Junior Men's 17-18 Cyclocross National Championships in 2021.
"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the White family, his teammates, friends and the Boulder community during this incredibly difficult time," Team USA said in a statement. "We ride for Magnus."
Michael Robson, his coach with Boulder Junior Cycling, described the talented teen as "magnetic" and "everywhere he traveled to race, he made friends." He added that White "had an enormous influence, and I didn't realize the extent of it until just the last couple of days."
"He was really goofy. He said super goofy stuff and was always hilarious," an emotional Robson said. "But he was really, really serious about his bike racing. He wanted to be professional and he was probably going to be one of the top professionals in the world."
According to the incoming senior's website, he planned to graduate from the Boulder Universal Multi-District Online School a semester early in pursuit of his dreams in the sport. He held a deep love for the outdoors, he said, supplementing his riding with skiing and hiking. He aspired to major in business in college.
"Magnus was dedicated to his family and friends and loved to surround them with laughter," the Whites said. "He had an amazing smile that always lit up the room, bringing joy to those around him."
Hollene Davis, his principal at Crest View Elementary, remembers cycling with him at a young age.
"When Magnus was in fourth grade, we had a raffle to 'ride with the principal,' and he put all his $20 into my jar so he could win," Davis said in a statement shared by Boulder Valley School District. "During our ride, he was jumping curbs and bringing Conner, his buddy, along, who was more shy. His enthusiasm and love of life on two wheels was evident then. My grief is really deep tonight as I reflect on who Magnus was as a loved child, a student, a kind soul and a fellow cyclist. He will be missed by so many of us beyond measure."
A GoFundMe in his memory, set up by family friend Christine Lipson, surpassed $95,000 by 4:30 p.m. Monday. She wrote, "Magnus was taken from us while doing what he loved most, riding his bike. Magnus' family is strong, but support from their community will go a long way to give them time to grieve."
