Team Leopard Trek has withdrawn from the Giro d’Italia following an emotional stage four tribute to teammate Wouter Weylandt.
General manager Brian Nygaard announced the decision of his riders and staff this morning (AEST).
In a team statement Nygaard said: “The decision needed to be taken by the riders, because they are the ones that participate in the race. We have always said that we would stand behind their choice.
“We wish to thank the other teams, the race organisation RCS, the Italian authorities and all the fans on the road between Genova and Livorno on today’s stage, as the peloton paid tribute to Wouter Weylandt.”
The peloton in mourning wore black ribbons during the neutralised stage overnight in memory of Weylandt, who died in a fatal accident on Monday's third stage when he tumbled 20m to the road below as he negotiated a descent 25km from the finish line in Rapallo.
Weylandt’s Leopard Trek teammates and friend Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) crossed the Livorno finish line of today’s 216km procession in arm.
Farrar will also leave the tour after stage four.
Leopard team captain Fabian Wegmann said his outfit had “a lot of respect for the Giro d’Italia.”
“But we simply cannot continue racing given the circumstances. We are professional athletes, but we feel this is the right thing to do,” Wegmann added.
Weylandt, 26, suffered fatal skull and facial injuries as well as damage to his pelvis and a broken leg in Monday's crash said the pathologist who carried out the report, Dr. Armando Mannucci.
A toxicology report is underway. Weylandt's parents and partner Anne-Sophie, who is due to give birth to their first child in September, laid flowers at the scene of his death overnight.
Courtesy - SBS Cycling Central.
General manager Brian Nygaard announced the decision of his riders and staff this morning (AEST).
In a team statement Nygaard said: “The decision needed to be taken by the riders, because they are the ones that participate in the race. We have always said that we would stand behind their choice.
“We wish to thank the other teams, the race organisation RCS, the Italian authorities and all the fans on the road between Genova and Livorno on today’s stage, as the peloton paid tribute to Wouter Weylandt.”
The peloton in mourning wore black ribbons during the neutralised stage overnight in memory of Weylandt, who died in a fatal accident on Monday's third stage when he tumbled 20m to the road below as he negotiated a descent 25km from the finish line in Rapallo.
Weylandt’s Leopard Trek teammates and friend Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervelo) crossed the Livorno finish line of today’s 216km procession in arm.
Farrar will also leave the tour after stage four.
Leopard team captain Fabian Wegmann said his outfit had “a lot of respect for the Giro d’Italia.”
“But we simply cannot continue racing given the circumstances. We are professional athletes, but we feel this is the right thing to do,” Wegmann added.
Weylandt, 26, suffered fatal skull and facial injuries as well as damage to his pelvis and a broken leg in Monday's crash said the pathologist who carried out the report, Dr. Armando Mannucci.
A toxicology report is underway. Weylandt's parents and partner Anne-Sophie, who is due to give birth to their first child in September, laid flowers at the scene of his death overnight.
Courtesy - SBS Cycling Central.
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