In a tragic incident at the Tour de Suisse, professional cyclist Gino Mäder has lost his life. The 26-year-old rider veered off the road during the race and fell into a ravine on Thursday. After the accident, Mäder was taken to the hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his severe injuries. The Bahrain-Victorious cycling team confirmed this heartbreaking news on Friday.
During the descent from the Albula Pass to the finish line in La Punt, Mäder encountered the unfortunate fall that led him into the ravine. Thankfully, the organizers were able to revive him. He was then airlifted to Chur Hospital for further treatment.
The team officials, including team manager Milan Erzen, expressed their devastation at Mäder's untimely death. They admired his exceptional talent, dedication, and enthusiasm, which served as an inspiration to everyone. Mäder was not only an immensely skilled rider but also a remarkable person off the bike.
In a related incident during the preparatory race for the Tour de France, American cyclist Magnus Sheffield also suffered a fall and was hospitalized with a concussion and bruising. Following Mäder's tragic passing, the sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse has been officially canceled. Instead of the planned stage, the riders will participate in a memorial ride covering the last 30 kilometers of the intended route, honoring Mäder's memory. This commemorative ride is scheduled to start at 4:00 PM.
Mäder's team has decided to withdraw from the race as a result of this devastating loss. The arrival at the destination in Oberwil-Lieli is expected at 4:40 PM, with further information to follow. Initially, the start of the stage had been postponed indefinitely.
The Swiss news agency SDA reported earlier that, in consultation with Mäder's team, Bahrain-Victorious, and his family, the tour organizers decided to continue the race. However, Mäder's team subsequently announced their withdrawal from the preparatory race for the Tour de France.
Remco Evenepoel, the world champion from Belgium, joined other riders in criticizing the organizers for the course design. He believed it was not wise to have the finish of such a stage after a descent, as reported by the Swiss newspaper "Blick." Evenepoel expressed the need for more safety precautions, stating that incidents like these are unfortunately what it takes for people to react.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for cycling, expressed their deep sorrow at the news. They offered their condolences to Mäder's family, friends, and everyone connected to him. The UCI considered Mäder a rising star in professional cycling.
Mäder had already achieved notable success as a junior track cyclist and was on his way to becoming a formidable stage racer. In 2021, he won stages at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de Suisse and finished fifth at the Vuelta a España. His potential and promising career have been cut short, leaving the cycling community in mourning.