Chris Froome has led the tributes to Nicolas Portal after the death of Team Ineos' sporting director at the age of 40.
Former cyclist Portal helped oversee Froome's four triumphs in the Tour de France between 2013 and 2017.
"My thoughts are with Nico's wife and children tonight. He was the kindest, happiest guy I knew and always lived life to the fullest. Rest In Peace Nico," Froome wrote on Twitter.
A statement from Team Ineos said Frenchman Portal died at home in Andorra on Tuesday afternoon.
"It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved teammate, colleague and friend Nico Portal who died suddenly this afternoon at his home in Andorra," the statement read.
"We are all overcome with grief at this terrible news and would ask everyone to respect the family's privacy at this difficult time.
"RIP Nico -- your spirit will always be with us on the road and you will forever be in our hearts."
French sports daily L'Equipe reported that Portal died of cardiac arrest.
Portal retired as a rider in 2010 after one season with Team Sky, having missed much of the previous year because of heart problems.
After the departure of Sean Yates, Portal was appointed sporting director at Team Sky, Team Ineos's predecessor, in 2013 and helped Froome to win his first Tour de France title in the same year.
At the time he was the youngest sports director with a World Tour team.
Portal was instrumental in plotting the team's dominance of the Tour de France, helping to steer Froome to a further three Tour de France titles and guiding Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal to Tour wins in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski said: "I don't want to believe it. Always smiling, always fit, always full of energy. Life is not fair."
Pete Kennaugh, once of Team Sky, said: "My first roommate as a pro. Can't believe the news of Nico Portal passing away. My thoughts and love are with his family who he cherished more than anything. The friendliest, most genuine, kind person you could wish to meet, words can't explain how much he will be missed."
Portal's best career result on the bike was a stage victory on the Criterium du Dauphine Libere in 2004.
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/cycling/team-ineos-sporting-director-portal-dies/89ec2d9b-a7b6-4bd7-b34a-0dc787cf617f
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