LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Gino Maeder, a Swiss cyclist who had fallen into a ravine while competing in the Tour of Switzerland, passed away on Friday as a result of his wounds.
On Thursday’s fifth stage between Fiesch and La Punt, the Bahrain Victorious rider, age 26, lost his footing after a strenuous day that included three ascents of more than 2,000 metres.
He was “immediately resuscitated then transported to the hospital in Chur by air,” according to the organisers, after being discovered “lifeless in the water” in a ravine below the road.
However, according to a statement from Bahrain-Victorious, “Gino lost his battle to recover from the serious injuries he sustained” the next day.
The team said, “Despite the best efforts of the outstanding personnel at Chur hospital, Gino was unable to complete this, his final and greatest task, and at 11:30am we bid farewell to one of the brightest members of our team.
“This tragic accident has left our entire team in shock, and during this especially trying time, our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones,” the statement reads.
The cyclists will continue cycle the route as a tribute even if Friday’s stage has been cancelled due to his passing.
Maeder had a good season to start, placing fifth in the Paris-Nice race. From the cycling community, condolences flooded in.
They were headed by Tadej Pogacar, a two-time Tour de France winner, who said on Instagram: “Rest in peace (heart icon) I will miss you,” and Primoz Roglic, a fellow Slovenian and the newly crowned Giro d’Italia champion, who tweeted: “Speechless.”
Geraint Thomas, a former Tour de France champion who lost to Roglic in the Giro, tweeted: “I can’t believe what I’m reading. Such a depressing day. Everyone who knew and loved Gino is in our thoughts.
Cycling is a large family. The Giro also sent their thoughts on Twitter. For a wonderful boy today, we all cry. We shall always remember your grin. Hello, Gino.
During the most challenging stage of the race, which included many hills, American racer Magnus Sheffield also crashed on the same descent from Albula. The Ineos-Grenadiers rider was admitted to the hospital with “bruises and concussion,” according to the organisers.
Remco Evenepoel, the world champion, blasted the choice to compete on such a hazardous course on Thursday.
The Belgian said on Twitter that, although a summit finish would have been feasible, it wasn’t wise to allow the team to continue the descent.
“As riders, we should consider the risks we assume when descending a mountain.”
