Organizers of the Tour de Suisse cycling race have announced that the multi-stage competition will resume on Saturday, the day after a rider injured in an accident during a high-speed mountain descent died.
Rider Gino Meder, a member of the Bahrain Victoria Team, announced his withdrawal from the race on Saturday morning. The other two teams are tudor pro and Intermarche Circus Wantyannounced that it had decided to withdraw from the race.
Riders and the rest of the Bahraini Victoria team were informed of Meder’s death on Friday morning. It was the day after Maeder went off course and fell down a steep ravine. The riders took part in a shortened memorial ride to replace the day’s stage, which was canceled on Friday.
But the race, an important preparation race for next month’s Tour de France, is due to resume with the final two stages of competition this weekend, with Bahrain Victorious on Saturday morning. The team confirmed on social media that it would not be participating.
“Following the tragic death of Gino Mader, Team Bahrain Victorious has decided to withdraw from the Tour de Suisse,” the team announced on Twitter.
The other two teams soon followed suit. Both cited the rider’s health as a reason in their decision to step down. “In these difficult circumstances, we feel it is the humane way to honor the feelings of our riders and show respect to Gino,” Tudor said in a statement.
Race officials said the decision was made late Friday to keep the race going Talk to the family of one of Switzerland’s best young riders, Maeder. The four-stage women’s event will start on Saturday as scheduled.
“After consulting with all parties concerned, the management team is committed to supporting and uniting this decision to ensure that the remaining two stages of the men’s race take place in an appropriate environment,” said Olivier Sen, the tour’s race director, in a statement. ‘ said.
“Today was the worst day of my life,” Sen added in a statement. “But tomorrow is a new day.
Police are investigating the accident and officials are reportedly interested in hearing from any eyewitnesses who may have witnessed and filmed the accident.
Maeder crashed Thursday with American rider Magnus Sheffield near the end of the fifth stage of the week-long race that ends on the final descent of the Albula Pass. The last section where the accident happened was just after a sharp downhill curve on an unprotected road with a mountain on the left and a steep downhill just beyond the right edge, and was almost empty when the riders passed. .
Photographs of the crash site showed what appeared to be two sets of tire tracks leading to the edge of a steep cliff above where Maeder and Sheffield had fallen.
Ms Mader and Ms Sheffield were treated where they rested near a drainpipe down a long slope. Ms Sheffield was reported to have suffered a concussion and cuts and bruises, but appeared to be able to walk and climb hills with help. Race officials said Maeder was found “immobile in the water” and revived at the scene. After initial treatment, he was evacuated from the scene by helicopter.
At least one rider, reigning world champion Remko Evenepol, suggested the course didn’t have to be so dangerous.
“I hope today’s stage final will give both cycling organizers and us riders something to think about,” said Evenepol. said on twitter After the accident, but before the seriousness of Maeder’s condition was known. “It was not a good decision to finish this dangerous descent. As riders, we also have to think about the risks when going down the mountain.”
