The badly injured cyclist Gino Mäder died as a result of his fall at the Tour de Suisse. This was announced by his team Bahrain Victorious on Friday. “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we have to announce the death of Gino Mäder,” the statement said.
The 26-year-old Swiss went off the road on Thursday on the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse on the descent towards the finish and fell into a ravine. Mäder was revived on the spot and transported by helicopter to Chur Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
“We are devastated by the loss of our exceptional driver, Gino Mäder. His talent, dedication and enthusiasm have been an inspiration to all of us,” said team manager Milan Erzen. “Not only was he an extremely talented rider, but he was also a great person off the bike.” The team will drive in his honor.
Allegations from road bike world champion Evenepoel: “Something has to happen for you to react”
The race doctor was quickly at the scene of the accident after the fall and provided immediate help, according to a statement on Thursday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Gino,” the team wrote. Magnus Sheffield, 21, from the Ineos Grenadiers team fell in the same place, but the American got off lightly.
After the fall, road bike world champion Remco Evenepoel raised serious allegations. “I hope today’s finale of the stage gives food for thought for both the organizers and for us as riders. A mountain finish would have easily been possible. So it was not a good decision to let us end the stage with this dangerous descent.” , wrote the Belgian on Twitter. The Swiss newspaper View Evenepoel said that “apparently more spectacle is still needed. Something just has to happen for you to react”.