Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder, 26, died in a hospital Friday after a high-speed crash on a steep descent during the Tour de Suisse the day before.
The 26-year-old cyclist and American cyclist Magnus Sheffield crashed as they were traveling around 60 mph, according to the New York Post. The team said that Mäder was resuscitated by medical staff using CPR at the scene of the accident before he was airlifted to the hospital where he later died.
“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,” Mäder’s team Bahrain Victorious said in a statement, adding, “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.”
Unfortunately this was the place where Gino Mäder and Magnus Sheffield crashed. According to the Magnus Sheffield Strava data they were riding 97 km/h in that palce. On the video you can see Juan Ayuso descending that place. #TourdeSuisse2023 #tourdesuisse #esbringa pic.twitter.com/nKtyKLxBDg
— RRK Group – Pierre Baguette – Benzinol (@rrkpierre) June 16, 2023
Cyclists learned of Mäder’s death 30 minutes before the start of the sixth stage on day eight of the Tour de Suisse, according to ESPN. After the tragic announcement, riders gathered in silence for Mäder, and Friday’s scheduled route was ridden by cyclists together in tribute to Mäder. The race will resume Saturday.
“Devastated by the news,” said world champion cyclist Remco Evenepoel. “My heart and strength is with Gino’s family, friends, teammates.”
Evenepoel criticized the “decision” to have the riders finish the stage riding down the steep mountainous road where Mäder crashed.
“While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn’t a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent,” Evenepoel said. “As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain.”
Sheffield was also taken to the hospital after the crash and treated for a concussion and bruising.
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Mäder was a talented young cyclist who started his career as a track cyclist before switching to road cycling in 2019. In 2021, he won a stage of the Giro d’Italia and took home the young rider classification, one of the primary awards handed out at a cycling stage race, at the Vuelta a España.
“Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, a valued member of our team and the whole cycling community,” his team said. “His talent, dedication, and passion for the sport has inspired us all.”