Gino Mader.Photo:Dario Belingheri/Getty Images
Dario Belingheri/Getty Images
Gino Mäder, a 26-year-old professional cyclist, has died following a crash during stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we have to announce the passing of Gino Mäder,” team Bahrain Victoriousshared in a statement on their websiteFriday.
“On Friday 16th June, following a very serious crash during stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse, Gino lost his battle to recover from the severe injuries he sustained."
According toCNN, race organizers said in a statement that Mäder was almost 125 miles into Thursday’s race when he crashed at high speed with American rider Magnus Sheffield. At the time of the incident, the two cyclists were making their way down the 7,500-foot-high Albula Pass in the heart of the Albula Alps towards the town of La Punt.
“Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, a valued member of our team and the whole cycling community,” they continued. “His talent, dedication, and passion for the sport has inspired us all.”
According to CNN, Tour de Suisse said it was “heartbroken” over the incident, and described Mäder as an “excellent rider” and “wonderful person.”
Gino Mader.RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images
RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images
On Friday, the peleton of Tour de Suisse cyclists held a minute’s silence to honor Mäder ahead of the next stage of the race, the starting point of which had been moved from La Punt to Chur, according toCycling News.
Mäder had ridden for Bahrain Victorious since 2021,per the BBC, and won sixth place in the general classification of the prestigious Vuelta a España in Spain the same year, winning the best younger rider award in the process.
Last year, the cyclist — who had also previously won stages of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de Suisse — tweeted thathe would donate1 Swiss Franc for every rider who finished behind him in a race throughout the 2022 season. Mäder explained that the money would go “towards the fight against climate change.”
He continued: “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.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Bahrain Victorious will race in his honor, keeping his memory on every road we race. We are determined to show the spirit and passion Gino displayed, and he will always remain an integral part of our team.”
Sheffield, the 21-year-old American involved in the crash with Mäder, sustained bruises and a concussion, his teamIneos Grenadiers, announced in a statement. He was taken to Samedan Hospital and kept overnight to monitor his soft tissue damage,
source: people.com
