Perhaps we'll wake tomorrow and find that it was all just a bad dream. The news of Burry Standers' death does just seem too unbelievable to palate at the moment. I am filled with grief for his family as no parent should bury a child.
But whoever wrote this script had little originality. Of all the prominent cyclists to be killed, did it have to be Burry? Although he had already achieved so much, we all knew that he was destined for greater glory. An under 23 world champion; a two-time Cape Epic winner; an Olympian just outside the medals....and only 25. Burry was only getting started. And he was married to a current SA cycling champion - we salivated at the thought of what the offspring would do! I'm sorry - but of all cyclists chosen - did it have to be Burry? Take Lance rather...
And then the manner of it all. A taxi. Really? Not a slip off a ravine in Tibet, or a heart attack whilst winning a gold medal somewhere - but to be hit by a bloody taxi? If I hear that the driver was drinking a Black Label and trying to change gears with a screwdriver, then I'm going to vomit. And did his dad have to be there when it happened? This is not a series of unfortunate events - its a tragedy. Its like having Chad Le Clos eaten alive by a Great White shark off Fish Hoek beach just after he's given the Nippers a motivational speech. Or Madiba being murdered in a hijacking.....The ingredients are just too obvious.
Being a cycling fan has not been easy for us over the past year. We learned that Lance was an undeniable doper (although he doesn't seem to acknowledge this fact just yet); David George dropped the EPO bomb on us; and now Burry gets his ticket checked in by a taxi. We simply didn't need this as a start to 2013. The timing was uncalled for. Just into the new year; when we're optimistic about the future and setting goals for the path that lies ahead. Ag nee man!
Burry Stander September 16, 1987 – January 3, 2013
In a time when things are rocky in South Africa, we knew that we had Burry in our corner: a homegrown kid who was globally respected for his cycling ability. As cyclists (and South Africans), that made us proud. So whilst the Zuma government may be cocking things up; education standards are slipping down like a prostitutes knickers; and crime statistics are nothing to be proud of - we knew that Burry offered us a beacon of hope in these uncertain times. South Africa has always relied heavily on sport as a unifying factor in our diverse and troubled Nation - and we cling to every sporting accolade we get just so we can puff out our chests and look the rest of the world in the eye and say, "sure, we have issues - but we can still hold our own". That's why Burry's loss will be so heavy for us. He was our bragging right. Our symbol of hope.
I personally didn't know Burry. I followed him on Twitter and saw him cross the finish line at the Epic a few times, yet I will grieve his death. No doubt more facts will surface over the next few days at the actual circumstances - but they won't change the outcome: A bloody taxi killed Burry.
Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to his family, close friends, and loved ones. Burry will not be forgotten.
