DOUBLE tragedy has struck the cycling scene with the deaths of two super-fit riders with days of each other.

Steve Peterson died late last week after suffering a brain haemorrhage and this week Lee Kellett was found dead on a country road in Wales, it is thought he suffered a massive heart attack while out on a training ride.

Steve, 38, lived in Keighley with his wife, Sue, and four-year-old daughter Olivia. They were also expecting a second child.

As a teenager he had been the national schools champion and enjoyed success at national and county level, particularly as a cyclo-cross rider, though he was also a strong hillclimber and took part in criteriums and road races.

After a motorcycling accident when he was 18 years of age he was found to have a faulty heart valve and was fitted with an artificial valve which allowed him to return to competition.

He recently began taking part in events at the Manchester Velodrome and enjoyed great success in the Bronte Wheelers Club's events. After one session he began to have severe headaches and visited hospital. He returned home and later the pain became more severe and his wife took him back to Airedale Hospital and he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary.

Despite treatment there he did not recover consciousness and died last Thursday morning. He carried an organ donor card and his kidneys and liver have been used to save the lives of three people.

After leaving Greenhead Grammar School Steve studied for a degree in computing at Sunderland University and opened his own business in Keighley.

He began cycle racing after being bought a bike by his parents. "It was a beautiful machine and we were horrified when he stripped everything off it to make it go faster, but he was determined to win.

"Later he did the same with a Sinclair ZX computer, and went on to get a degree in computing," said his father Terry, headmaster at Highfield School before retiring following the recent reorganisation of education.

Mr Peterson added: "On behalf of Steve's wife and all his family we would like to thank all the staff in the intensive care unit at Leeds General Infirmary for their care, and everyone who has sent messages of sympathy."

Lee Kellett, 33, was also a member of the Bronte Wheelers club and was a fitness instructor at Keighley Leisure Centre's 'Tone Zone' centre before moving to Wales with his girlfriend June.

He was found dead on a country road near his home in Barmouth.

"He had head injuries and at first it was thought he may have been involved in an accident, but he apparently died from a heart attack," said his brother Lloyd.

Steve's funeral is to be held today (Friday) at St mark's Church, Utley (1.15pm) and Lee's is to be held at Oakworth Crematorium on Wednesday at 11am.