A professional cyclist has died after crashing during a stage of the Tour de Suisse, his team has said.
Gino Mader, 26, fell down a ravine on the descent towards the finish line in Thursday’s mountainous stage five.
Medical staff performed CPR on the Swiss rider at the scene before he was airlifted to Chur hospital, where he later died from severe injuries.
“Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff”, he “couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge”, his team Bahrain Victorious said 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.”
Bahrain Victorious’s 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. Bahrain Victorious will race in his honour, keeping his memory on every road we race.”
Teams and riders have been reacting to the news of Mader’s death.
“I can’t believe what I’m reading. Such a sad sad day. Thoughts with everyone who knew and loved Gino,” Geraint Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France champion, said on Twitter.
“No words. RIP Gino. My thoughts are with your family and friends,” added Ineos Grenadiers’ Michal Kwiatkowski.
Mader won a stage of the 2021 Giro d’Italia, and went on to finish fifth overall that same year at the Vuelta a Espana. Earlier this year, he was fifth at Paris-Nice.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
