A mountain biker has died during a 100 mile endurance race in Colorado. This is the second death of a mountain biker in a race in Colorado in two weeks, following the death of Will Olsen at round five of the 2015 Enduro World Series on 1 August.

Scott Ellis, 55, was competing in the Race Across the Sky when he collapsed on a steep climb roughly 20 miles from the finish. It is believed that the death was due to natural causes

The Leadville 100 or Race Across the Sky is a 100 mile, high altitude endurance event. Ellis was competing for a 19th consecutive event and is the first fatality in the race’s 32 year history. It is a famously gruelling race that attracts 1,500 riders from all over the world every year.

Tributes were led by Lance Armstrong, who currently holds the course record in the event:

The race organiser, Life Time Fitness, said: “The entire Leadville family is saddened by the loss of dedicated and cherished mountain bike racer, Scott Ellis. Scott was a 19-time participant and truly embodied the spirit of Leadville. He truly will be missed.”

However it has come under fire from a local blogger, Laurie Mc Hargue, who accuses it of failing to acknowledge that a cyclist had died at the podium ceremony at the end of the race.

She wrote: “I was truly upset, because there was not a single mention of the man who perished in a helicopter after falling at mile 80 on the race. Not a mention. Not a brief moment of silence or acknowledgment of the fact that ‘Grit, guts and determination’ can sometimes be fatal.”

Following the death of Will Olsen, the Enduro World Series race was cancelled and a tribute ride organised for the next day.