The cycling community is mourning the loss of “extraordinary athlete” Gino Mäder who died after crashing on the Tour de Suisse.
The 26-year-old Swiss road cyclist - who once finished fifth in the Vuelta a Espana - died after he went off the road and fell into a ravine on the final descent on a stage on Thursday.
Medics in the south-eastern city of La Punt found the Bahrain Victorious rider unconscious and airlifted him to the hospital.
Bahrain Victorious announced on Friday he had died.
🙏🏻 Gino, thank you for the light, the joy, and the laughs you brought us all, we will miss you as a rider and as a person.
— Team Bahrain Victorious (@BHRVictorious) June 16, 2023
❤️ Today and every day, we ride for you, Gino.
🔗 https://t.co/CSx5BsWfRz pic.twitter.com/caBmfmWwyg
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we have to announce the passing of Gino Mäder,” a team statement read.
“On Friday 16 June, following a very serious crash during stage five of the Tour de Suisse, Gino lost his battle to recover from the severe injuries he sustained. 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.”
Magnus Sheffield had also crashed in the criticised stage and the American rider was treated for a concussion and bruises.
Riders are set to complete a 20km neutralised group ride in memory of Mäder after Friday’s stage was officially cancelled.
The week-long stage race, seen by many as a key preparation race and form guide for the Tour De France, is set to conclude on Sunday.
Who was Gino Mäder?
Mäder was a talented and successful rider who was equally able to impress on the road and on the track.
In a promising junior career, he was able to win a national junior time trial championship and come fifth at the world juniors in the discipline in 2015 as an 18-year-old.
He first competed at the 2016 UEC European Track Championships in the team pursuit event when he was just 19 and quickly transitioned to road cycling, signing with World Tour team Dimension Data in 2019 after winning regional events the previous year.
Despite his time trial background he was an equally adept mountain performer and his versatility led him to win hilly stages at the Giro D’Italia in 2021. He has an excellent palmares from that year, which also saw him place in the top ten in the prestigious Paris–Nice one-day classic.
His greatest result was a fifth position overall in the Vuelta a España, one of the three grand tours in cycling, in 2021 - when he also won the white jersey for best young rider.
What have people said about his death?
I can’t believe what I’m reading. Such a sad sad day. Thoughts with everyone who knew and loved Gino. https://t.co/kjh2jC1xP6
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) June 16, 2023
Tributes have poured in following the death of Mäder with many legends of the sport expressing their grief and celebrating his life.
Geraint Thomas tweeted: “I can’t believe what I’m reading. Such a sad, sad day. Thoughts with everyone who knew and loved Gino.”
Alejandro Valverde wrote: “There are no words. Terrible news. My support and love to his colleagues as well as family and friends.”
The Bahrain Victorious statement added: “Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, a valued member of our team and the whole cycling community. His talent, dedication, and passion for the sport has inspired us all.”
While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn’t a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent. As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain
— Remco Evenepoel (@EvenepoelRemco) June 15, 2023
My thoughts & strength is with @ginomaeder and @MagnusSheffield!
(2/2)
The stage was also criticised.
World road champion Remco Evenepoel tweeted: “While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn’t a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent.
“As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain.”
