Gino Mäder's mother Heidi is consoled by Reto Hollenstein of Switzerland and Team Israel-Premier Tech during a memorial ride for the cyclist who died after crashing into a ravine during the Tour de Suisse. Photo m/ Getty Images
Gino Mäder's mother Heidi is consoled by Reto Hollenstein of Switzerland and Team Israel-Premier Tech during a memorial ride for the cyclist who died after crashing into a ravine during the Tour de Suisse. Photo m/ Getty Images
Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder died overnight, one day after crashing and falling down a ravine during a descent at the Tour de Suisse.
The 26-year-old Mäder crashed after a left-hand turn on a fast downhill road approaching the end of the mountainous fifth stage into La Punt.
His fall ofabout 30 metres was stopped by a stream.
“Gino lost his battle to recover from the severe injuries he sustained,” his Bahrain-Victorious team said in a statement. “Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge, and at 11.30am we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team.”
This is how we will always remember you❤️ With a big smile on your face! The peloton will ride the last 20 kilometres of today's course neutralised in honour of Gino Mäder. Expected finish in Oberwil-Lieli is 16.40h. . We ride for you Gino❤️ pic.twitter.com/B27VmMqpuz
Medical staff who reached Mäder found him motionless in the water, race organisers said on Thursday. CPR was performed on him before he was airlifted to the hospital.
”Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Bahrain-Victorious said.
Police in the Swiss canton of Graubünden said a joint investigation with prosecutors wanted to hear from witnesses who might have seen and filmed the incident. The Tour de Suisse is a preparation race for next month’s Tour de France.
Mäder’s death was announced about 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the sixth stage in the eight-day race.
The start was delayed and riders gathered in a silent tribute before the stage was cancelled.
The peloton rode together in tribute to Mäder for the final 30 kilometres of Friday’s scheduled route.
The race should resume Saturday.
Teammates ride in tribute to Gino Mader, who died after a horror crash. Photo / Team Bahrain Victorious
”Devastated by the news,” said world champion Remco Evenepoel, who is in fourth place in the race standings.
“My heart and strength is with Gino’s family, friends, teammates.”
Evenepoel earlier criticised Thursday’s stage after finishing the day in 10th place.
”While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn’t a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent,” Evenepoel wrote on his Twitter account.
“As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain.”
A second rider also crashed at the same spot.
Magnus Sheffield of the United States sustained a concussion and bruises and was treated at a local hospital.
