Having heard about this first-thing yesterday morning, I wanted to post something about the accident here, but decided to take the day-off from the computer because this story really bummed me out.
Yesterday, Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt, 26, died following a collision with a wall during a high-speed downhill section of the course in Rapallo, Northern Italy.
The Leopard-Trek rider struck a wall travelling at approximately 70km/h and was treated immediately by Giro doctors who were following the pack. He was immediately diagnosed with skull and facial fractures. Doctors administered CPR and adrenaline shots to no avail, as Weylandt was pronounced dead 40 minutes later.
It was the first death in 25 years at the Giro, one of the big three races, all of which feature mountainous climbs and descents that often put the athletes in peril.
Weylandt's team, Leopard-Trek plan on meeting to discuss whether they'd like to continue the Giro, which finishes May 29th in Milan. In a sadly coincidental twist, a year ago today, Weylandt won the 3rd stage of the Giro as one of two career stage victories.
He is survived by family and his girlfriend who was expecting their first born this September.
Also, today's Star features both an article about Weylandt's death and one off-topic titled "Race To The Death?"
ReplyDeleteClassy stuff Toronto Star - why am I not surprised?