Three teams and 36 individual cyclists withdrew from the Tour de Suisse after the death of Swiss rider Gino Mader.
Mader died on Friday after a serious crash during Stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse on Thursday.
Durangoan Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) was one of the riders who withdrew.
“I still don’t know the right words to say, if there could even be right words in this situation,” Simmons said. “Gino was an example to all of us and we will do everything we can to honor his memory. I was riding behind Gino when he crashed so I stopped straight away to help direct emergency services to him. I’m devastated by this tragic death, and all my thoughts remain with his family, loved ones and teammates.”
Simmons was one the numerous cyclists who didn’t start the muted Stage 7 on Saturday.
Mader’s team, Team Bahrain-Victorious, pulled out of the race immediately and were joined by Tudor Pro Cycling Team and Intermache-Circus-Wanty on Saturday.
Stage 6 was canceled on Friday, but the riders took part in a 20-kilometer ride in Mader’s honor to replace the stage.
Jan Tratnik of Team Jumbo-Visma, Mader’s teammate last year, often shared a room with the lamented Swiss rider.
“We raced together a lot and were often roommates,” Tratnik said. “I’ll never forget the Vuelta in 2021 when he took home the white jersey. Gino was a helpful and hard-working guy. He was a very courteous and calm guy and a true professional. He was a little shy when we first met. Later, we actually grew close. Gino stood for his principles, and with that, he often inspired me. It is unbelievable that he is no longer here. I am going to miss him, and I will remember him forever.”
The tour resumed with the seventh stage on Saturday, after organizers decided against canceling the tour altogether. After a minute of silence, the peloton took off. The overall standings, however, were to be frozen 25 kilometers from the finish line.
“The remaining race favorites agreed to refrain from attacking today,” Remco Evenepoel told Flo Bikes. “Today will be really tough for us in the peloton to focus, to start the stage. However, we respect the decision of his family, and his team, to resume the race.”
Evenepoel took the stage win, and posted that it was “For Gino.”
Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) will enter the final stage, a 25.7 kilometer individual time trial, in fourth place, trailing the leader, Mattias Skjelmose of Trek-Segafredo, by 46 seconds. Felix Gall (AG2R Citroen Team) is eight seconds back in second place while Juan Ayuson (UAE Team Emirates) is third (+:018).
“Gino’s death has rocked us to the core,” said Jumbo-Visma general manager Richard Plugge. “It deeply affects all of us. We remember him as a good and friendly rider. We wish his family, friends and team all the strength in this difficult time.”
