JOHANNESBURG, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The organizers of the Cape Town Cycle Tour confirmed on Sunday that two participants died during this year's race.

The first victim died on Sunday morning when 20 cyclists were involved in a pileup, Race director David Bellairs said.

"One of the cyclists succumbed to the injuries he sustained in this incident," Bellairs said. "His family has asked that we respect their privacy at this time and we will not be releasing his name."

"In the second incident, a male participant succumbed to a suspected heart attack," he said.

"Once again we are respecting the family's wishes and not releasing his name."

The Cape Town Cycle Tour is now in its 40th year, attracting around 35,000 cyclists each year.