GENEVA (AP) – Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder died on Friday, a day after falling into a ravine on a downhill at the Tour de Suisse.
The 26-year-old Mäder fell after a left turn on a rapidly descending road at the end of the mountainous fifth stage to La Punt. His fall of about 30 meters was stopped by a stream.
“Gino has lost his battle to recover from the serious injuries he sustained,” his Bahrain Victorious team said in a statement. “Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur Hospital, Gino failed to complete this final and greatest challenge and at 11:30 a.m. we said goodbye to one of the bright spots of our team.”
Medical staff who reached Mäder found him motionless in the water, race organizers said on Thursday. He was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation before being flown to the hospital.
“Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,” said Bahrain-Victorious.
Police in the Swiss canton of Graubünden said a joint investigation with prosecutors wanted to hear witnesses who may have seen and filmed the incident.
The Tour de Suisse is a preparatory race for next month’s Tour de France.
Mäder’s death was announced about 30 minutes before the scheduled start of stage six of the eight-day race. The start was delayed and riders gathered in a silent tribute before the stage was cancelled.
The peloton rode the final 30 kilometers (18 miles) of Friday’s planned route together as a tribute to Mäder. The race is scheduled to continue on Saturday.
“Devastated by the news,” said World Champion Remco Evenepoel, who is fourth in the race standings. “My heart and strength are with Gino’s family, friends and teammates.”
Evenepoel previously criticized Thursday’s stage after finishing the day in tenth place.
“Although a summit finish was quite possible, it was not a good decision to let us finish this dangerous descent.” Evenepoel wrote on his Twitter account. “As cyclists, we should also think about the risks we take when we go down a mountain.”
A second rider also fell at the same spot. Magnus Sheffield of the US suffered concussion and bruises and was treated at a local hospital.
In previous incidents, Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt died in a fall on a downhill run at the Giro d’Italia in May 2011. Another Belgian rider, Antoine Demoitié, died after a crash at the one-day Gent-Wevelgem race in March 2016.
Mäder was one of the best young riders in Switzerland. He won a stage at the 2021 Giro and finished fifth overall at the Spanish Vuelta that year. He also finished fifth in the Paris-Nice stage race in March.
“We are heartbroken,” Tour de Suisse organizers said in a statement. “Gino, you were an excellent driver, but even more a wonderful person. Always smile and make the people around you happy.”
Mäder was asked by a reporter at the finish on Sunday what would make him happy at the end of the week-long race. “If I’m still healthy and enjoy my home race, maybe I can be successful with the team,” Mäder said.
Team manager Milan Erzen praised the driver, saying his “talent, dedication and enthusiasm are an inspiration to all of us.”
“Not only was he an extremely talented cyclist,” Erzen said, “but he was also a great person off the bike.”
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