Gino Mader: Bicycle owner, 26, dies after crashing into ravine throughout Tour de Suisse

An expert bicycle owner has died after crashing in the course of the Tour de Suisse – as a world champion criticised the choice to “let us finish down this dangerous decent”.

Gino Mader, 26, fell down a ravine as he approached the top of Thursday’s mountainous fifth stage.

The Swiss rider crashed on a quick downhill street and medical workers carried out CPR on the scene earlier than he was airlifted to Chur hospital, the place he later died from extreme accidents.

“Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff”, he “couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge”, his staff Bahrain Victorious mentioned on Friday.

“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.”

A second rider, Magnus Sheffield, additionally crashed on the similar spot. The American suffered a concussion and bruises and was handled at a neighborhood hospital.

Thursday’s route has been criticised by Belgium’s world champion Remco Evenepoel, who completed tenth in stage 5 and is fourth within the total standings.

“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 Twitter.

“As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain.”

‘Extremely proficient bicycle owner’

Bahrain Victorious’s managing director Milan Erzen mentioned: “We are devastated by the loss of our exceptional cyclist, Gino Mader. His talent, dedication, and enthusiasm were an inspiration to us all.

“Not solely was he an especially proficient bicycle owner, however an ideal individual off the bike.”

Teams and riders have been reacting to the news of Mader’s death.

“I can not consider what I’m studying. Such a tragic unhappy day. Thoughts with everybody who knew and liked Gino,” Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France champion, said on Twitter.

“No phrases. RIP Gino. My ideas are with your loved ones and buddies,” added Ineos Grenadiers racer Michal Kwiatkowski.

The Tour de Suisse is a preparation race forward of subsequent month’s Tour de France.

Mader’s demise was introduced about half-hour earlier than the scheduled begin of the sixth stage within the eight-day race. The begin was delayed.

Mader gained a stage of the 2021 Giro d’Italia, and went on to complete fifth total that very same yr on the Vuelta a Espana. Earlier this yr, he was fifth at Paris-Nice.