The Bahrain Victorius team has officially announced the death of Gino Mader, a 26-year-old cyclist, after yesterday’s terrible accident: “Our whole team is devastated”. The sixth stage was canceled as a sign of mourning, the decision of the race commissioners.
A detail of the downhill section of the Albula Pass where cyclists reach high speeds and Mader has met his death
Gino Mäder is dead. To announce the death with a statement was his team, the Bahrain Victorius. The 26-year-old Swiss cyclist did not make it, he had arrived in Chur hospital in worrying conditions after the terrible accident in yesterday’s stage (the 5to) of the Tour of Switzerland. The sixth, today’s one (La Punt-Oberwil-Lieli), was first postponed and then canceled by the race stewards after a long meeting: the line of condolences and respect for the mourning and the pain of the family prevailed.
The images of the tremendous fall that took place at kilometer 197 and of the violent impact are still printed in the eyes and minds of fellow racers and opponents who saw him slide down the escarpment together with the American Magnus Sheffield (the latter reported a concussion and several contusions but not life threatening).
The scene of the accident during the stage of the Tour de Suisse.
At the end of a downhill section from the Albula Pass to La Punt Chamues, where speeds in excess of 100 km/h are reached, he lost control of his bike and fell off a cliff. He was unconscious when he was rescued by doctors, who found his body lying in the water of a river: revived on the spot, he was transported by helicopter to the hospital. But the severity of the internal injuries and injuries sustained did not give him a chance.
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of Gino Mäder. On Friday 16 June, following a very serious accident during the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse, Gino lost his battle to recover from the serious injuries sustained. Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
The dynamics of the accident became clear around 7 pm yesterday, when the leaders of the Tour de Suisse explained what happened and provided the first information on the conditions of the injured cyclists.
At kilometer 197 of the race, on the descent from the Albula Pass, two riders crashed at very high speed. The race doctor arrived at the crash site within two minutes. Magnus Sheffield was conscious. He was taken to Samedan hospital with bruises and a concussion. Gino Mader was inert in the water. He was immediately revived and airlifted to hospital in Chur.
The Graubünden Cantonal Police requested the help of any witnesses to be sure of what caused the Swiss rider to fall, regardless of the speed reached on that stretch of road due to the slope. “We are especially looking for people who were able to witness or even film the tragic accident”said the Rhaetian PolCa.
The findings of the Graubünden Canton Police at the scene of the accident.
The reconstruction of the tragedy was also characterized by strong controversies by the cyclists themselves against the organizers and, in particular, by the choice not to change the race route despite the obvious dangers for the competitors.
A choice made to keep the “show” alive, was the very critical comment by the champion Remco Evenepoel. “Even if a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it was not a smart decision to let us finish this dangerous descent – he wrote in the message accompanying an Instagram post immediately after the stage marred by the disaster -. I hope it is an inspiration for reflection for all”.
The black and white image used by Team Bahrain to announce the cyclist’s death.
Mäder finished fifth in the Spanish Vuelta in 2021, he also finished in the same position in the Paris-Nice stage race in March while in the 2021 edition of the Giro d’Italia he crossed the finish line first in the Ascoli Piceno stage at the Giro d ‘Italy.
Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, a valuable member of our team and of the entire cycling community. His talent, dedication and passion for the sport inspired us all. Bahrain Victorious will run in his honor, keeping his memory on every road we travel.
