Police are investigating the mystery death of a British cyclist in Lanzarote.
The unnamed 55-year-old was discovered lying by his bike on a road between the village of Guatiza and the Canary island’s east coast.
A walker raised the alarm just after midday and although emergency responders raced to the scene they could nothing to revive the tourist and he was pronounced dead where he was found.
His partner is said to have been told about his death in the couple’s holiday hotel where she was waiting for him to finish his bike ride.
The cause of his death are now being investigated by the Civil Guard.
Police sources said there were no superficial signs of any injuries on the man pointing to the holidaymaker having been hit by a car but they were waiting for the autopsy results to see if he had died of natural causes.
The possibility he suffered a health problem while he was cycling and was unable to reach a more populated area to ask for help in time has not been ruled out.
It was not immediately clear this evening if he had been carrying his mobile phone with him.
A spokesman for a local emergency services co-ordinator said the alarm had been raised around 12.45pm today and said two ambulances were sent to the scene.
Local police employed by Teguise Town Hall were also mobilised although they subsequently let the Civil Guard take over and await the arrival of court workers so the body could be removed for post-mortem.
Lanzarote is a popular destination for cyclists of all levels. The roads on the island are well-maintained and there are many cycling companies that offer both rental bikes and excursions.
Unlike Tenerife and Gran Canaria you don’t need much climbing experience, although the island can be very windy at times.
The area where the British cyclist was found dead is around 20 minutes drive north of the Lanzarote capital Arrecife.
has contacted the UK’s Foreign Office for comment.