Hamburg - Belgian cycling talent Frederieck Nolf died in his sleep in Qatar where he was taking place in the Tour of Qatar, his team and race organizers announced on Thursday. He was 21 years old.

Belgian legend Eddie Merckx, one of the race organizers, announced the death and said that Thursday's stage was scrapped on order to commemorate Nolf.

"Frederieck died on Wednesday night in his sleep," his team Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator said in a short statement.

Team manager Christophe Sercu was quoted as telling Belgian reporters that Nolf was found dead in the morning in his hotel room. He said that there were no indications of a health problem on Wednesday night or during past medical examinations of the young rider.

Nolf was competing in his first season event in his second year as a cycling pro.

Sercu said that his team was withdrawing from the Tour of Qatar immediately. (dpa)