TRIBUTES have been flooding in from across the cycling world for former Scottish champion Craig Hardie, who has passed away after a battle with cancer.

On Wednesday evening, his wife, Lynn, and daughter Lois took to Twitter to announce that the popular bike star had died after being diagnosed with liver cancer in September.

He had been undergoing chemotherapy but, in a heartbreaking post, Lynn and Lois said: "Lynn and Lois here. This is never something we imagined we would be writing but our gorgeous Craig Hardie passed away at 12:20am this morning at the Victoria Hospital holding our hands.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported Craig and us through his cancer journey. "

During a stellar career in competitive cycling, Craig competed in all disciplines such as road racing, cyclocross and grasstrack, and was a two-time winner of the Scottish Mountain Bike Championship.

He was also a champion in cyclocross, and won medals in MTB cross country, MTB downhill and BMX events, and was well-known on the Highland Games circuit.

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Craig was also well-known for running the family business, Hardie Bikes in Cairneyhill, which supported local cyclists such as Joe Nally in their careers.

Retired Dunfermline cyclist Charline Jones, who won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was among those leading the tributes to Craig.

She said: "Craig was so inspiring in so many ways, his attitude to life, his positivity and high energy was always a pleasure to be around.

"Craig always helped me when I needed it on and off the bike. Sending so much love to Lynn, Lois & Bill.

"Such devastating news."

Rab Wardell, another former Commonwealth Games rider from Dunfermline who, last year, broke the record for cycling the West Highland Way, commented: "I’m so saddened to hear this awful news.

"I’ll remember Craig as full of fighting spirit, energy and fiery passion.

"My thoughts and condolences go out to you all. Craig will be missed by me and the rest of the Wardell family."

Katie Archibald, a 2016 Olympic team pursuit champion, wrote: "Craig was always an important figure in cycling to me, and his Highland Games wins were formative in how I viewed success.

"He of course made an impact on this world, and he made an impact on me along the way. I'm so sorry for your loss."

Broadaster and Deacon Blue drummer, Dougie Vipond, said: "Craig made me feel so welcome when i started cycling with Dunfermline.

"His enthusiasm and passion for cycling was infectious. On Saturday mornings he’d drop back to see if us slower folk were ok!

"A good guy he was."

Dunfermline Cycling Club, with whom Craig was a long-standing member, also paid a poignant tribute.

They said: "All of us at Dunfermline Cycling Club would like to express our shock and sadness at learning of the news of Craig's passing early this (Wednesday) morning.

"Craig was a long-time member of DCC and supported us in many ways over the years. Without doubt one of the stalwarts of the club and wider cycling community, his character and boundless energy is a huge loss to us all.

"Craig was known to us in many guises as a bike fixer, competitor, mentor, occasional wheelie popper and good pal.

"He was one of a kind, and his versatility, skill as a mechanic and bike handling talents were beyond compare.

"A true perfectionist. It's hard to believe we won't see him out on the bun runs anyomore.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Lynn, Lois and the family."

Craig was also a founding member of the Fife Revolutions cycle speedway team in 2016, and they posted: "Fife are deeply saddened to learn of the news that No1 Craig Hardie has passed away.

"Craig was one of the founding members of our club and was instrumental in our success.

"Although new to the sport he made a huge impact in its promotion and competition.

"A great support to everyone, he will be immensely missed.

"A great team mate and friend to all at the club, we extend our condolences to wife Lynn and daughter Lois as well as the rest of his family."

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The chair of Scottish Cyclocross, Davie Graham, also paid tribute to Craig, a founding member of the Scottish Cyclocross Association.

"My Cyclocross journey has always had Craig in it, from my first race at Auchentoshan to my last race at Knockburn, Craig was there with his infectious smile, approachability and fantastic bike handling skills," he said.

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"Craig was a multiple Scottish Cyclocross champion, series winner and even Santa Cross World Champ; he was a prolific grass track racer with many Scottish Championship wins and also Scottish Champion on the mountain bike.

"All these wins were achieved through grit and determination and above all else fairly, as someone else said, they saw Craig held up by a back marker so he just pulled a wheelie till he got past.

"He wasn’t just a racer though, he also was a founding member of the Scottish Cyclocross Association and a committee member for 10 years.

"His valued input was based on his vast experience of racing over the years and was always appreciated. He had stints as a mechanic with both professional cycling teams, and also the national team, and was held in such high regard that people would travel across the country for bike fits and servicing at his bike shop. 

"Craig retired from Cyclocross for a couple of seasons but he would still turn up to support events and his “red is faster” riders and it was always eagerly awaited who the Mystic Marigold would pick out as a potential winner.

"My thoughts are with Lynn, Lois and the rest of the family at this time and I’ll be raising my front wheel on Wednesday as a tribute to one of Scottish Cyclocross’ legends taken too soon."

Craig Burn, CEO of Scottish Cycling, added: "So sad and so sorry to hear this Lynn and Lois.

"Craig will be a massive loss to all that knew him and all the Scottish cycling community.

"He welcomed me into the sport a decade ago and we enjoyed many conversations over the years. #RIP Craig".