Swiss bike owner Gino Mäder died Friday, his crew mentioned, a day after crashing and falling down a ravine throughout a descent on the Tour de Suisse, a preparation race forward of subsequent month’s Tour de France. Mäder, 26, crashed on a quick downhill highway approaching the tip of the mountainous fifth stage into La Punt.
“Gino misplaced his battle to get better from the extreme accidents he sustained,” the Bahrain-Victorious crew mentioned in a press release. “… Regardless of the most effective efforts of the outstanding workers at Chur hospital, Gino could not make it by means of this, his closing and largest problem, and at 11:30 a.m. we mentioned goodbye to one of many shining lights of our crew.”
Medical workers who reached Mäder discovered him immobile in water. They carried out CPR earlier than he was airlifted to the hospital.
“Our total crew is devastated by this tragic accident, and our ideas and prayers are with Gino’s household and family members throughout this extremely troublesome time,” Bahrain-Victorious mentioned.
Gabriel Monnet/AFP through Getty Photos
Mäder’s loss of life was introduced about half-hour earlier than the scheduled begin of the sixth stage within the eight-day race. The beginning was delayed and riders gathered in a silent tribute earlier than the stage was canceled.
Race organizers mentioned the peloton would journey collectively in tribute to Mäder for the ultimate 30 kilometers (18 miles) of Friday’s scheduled route. The race ought to resume Saturday.
Crew supervisor Milan Erzen mentioned Bahrain-Victorious will race in his honor.
“We’re decided to point out the spirit and keenness Gino displayed, and he’ll at all times stay an integral a part of our crew,” Erzen mentioned.
The supervisor praised the rider, saying his “expertise, dedication, and enthusiasm had been an inspiration to us all.”
“Not solely was he a particularly gifted bike owner,” Erzen mentioned, “however an incredible individual off the bike.”
“Devastated by the information,” world champion Remco Evenepoel, who’s in fourth place within the race standings, wrote on his Twitter account. “My coronary heart and power is with Gino’s household, buddies, teammates.”
Evenepoel earlier criticized Thursday’s stage after ending the day in tenth place.
“Whereas a summit end would have been completely attainable, it wasn’t resolution to allow us to end down this harmful descent,” Evenepoel wrote. “As riders, we also needs to take into consideration the dangers we take taking place a mountain.”
A second rider additionally crashed on the similar spot. Magnus Sheffield of america sustained a concussion and bruises and was handled at a neighborhood hospital.
In earlier incidents, Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt was killed in a crash on a descent on the Giro in Could 2011. One other Belgian rider, Antoine Demoitié, died after crashing on the one-day Gent-Wevelgem race in March 2016.
Mäder was one in all Switzerland’s greatest younger riders. He gained a stage on the 2021 Giro d’Italia and positioned fifth general within the Spanish Vuelta that 12 months. He additionally was fifth within the Paris-Good stage race in March.
“We’re heartbroken,” Tour de Suisse organizers mentioned in a press release. “Gino, you have been a wonderful rider however much more an exquisite individual. All the time smiling and making folks pleased round you.”
Mäder was requested on Sunday on the finish of the primary stage by a reporter what would make him pleased on the finish of the weeklong race.
“If I am nonetheless wholesome and I take pleasure in my dwelling race, perhaps have some success with the crew,” Mäder mentioned.
