Swiss rider Gino Mader has died, after crashing into a ravine on the descent towards the finish line during stage five of the Tour de Suisse.
"Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn't make it through this, his final and biggest challenge, and at 11:30am, we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team," the Bahrain Victorious team said.
Mader, 26, crashed on the descent towards La Punt and fell into a ravine, where he was found unresponsive by the race doctor and resuscitated, before being air-lifted to hospital.
Ineos Grenadiers rider Magnus Sheffield was also injured in the crash, and taken to hospital with concussion and soft tissue damage.
Bahrain Victorious managing director Milan Erzen said: "We are devastated by the loss of our exceptional cyclist, Gino Mader. His talent, dedication and enthusiasm were an inspiration to us all.
"Not only was he an extremely talented cyclist, but a great person off the bike. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time."
Erzen says the team will continue in the race to honour Mader.
"We are determined to show the spirit and passion Gino displayed, and he will always remain an integral part of our team," he said.
Ineos Grenadiers says they are 'heartbroken' to hear of Mader's death.
"Gino wasn't just a hugely talented bike rider and great competitor, he was also an incredible person and a friend to many of us," the team said. "His absence will be felt by everyone in the peloton and throughout our sport."
Mader joined the Bahrain Victorious team in 2021 and won a stage of the Giro d'Italia that year. He also won the Young Rider classification at the 2021 Vuelta a Espana.
The professional riders' association CPA said: "Our hearts bleed at this news. Condolences to his family, the team and the many friends who loved him, like all of us.
"RIP Gino."
Stage five of the Tour de Suisse had raised some eyebrows in the peloton, because of its fast descent near the finish.
After the accident, Belgian world champion Remco Evenepoel tweetered: "I hope that the final of today's stage is food for thought for both cycling organisers, as well as ourselves as riders.
"While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn't a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent."
Mader's death brought back memories of Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt, who died after a crash during a descent on the third stage of the 2011 Giro d'Italia.
Weylandt, 26, fell off his bike coming down from the Passo del Bocco and suffered injuries, including to his skull.
Doctors at the scene cut off Weylandt's helmet and performed cardiac massage for 45 minutes at the side of the road, but their efforts were in vain.
Top Kiwi George Bennett had earlier withdrawn from the Tour de Suisse, with injuries suffered during a crash on stage two. He battled on another two days, before finally withdrawing before the fateful stage five.
"Absolute dog of a sport sometimes," Bennet posted on Instagram.
Reuters/Newshub
