Brussels  - Belgian professional cyclist Frederiek Nolf was laid to rest on Saturday in the west Flemish town of Kuurne.

So many people wanted to pay their last respects to the 21-year- old Topsport Vlaanderen rider, who died in his sleep during the Tour of Qatar on February 5, that several hundred people did not fit into the church, the Belgian news agency Belga said.

Belgian sport minister Bert Anciaux and former Head of State Yves Leterme were amongst the mourners for the cyclist, who was given a guard of honour by his former team-mates.

Belgian media said that Nolf's parents had said they do not want an autopsy performed. dpa