Two entire teams, as well as several individual cyclists, withdrew from the Tour de Suisse on Saturday, following the death of Gino Mäder.
Mäder’s team immediately pulled out, and they were joined Saturday by Tudor and Intermarche prior to the seventh stage. In all, 36 riders did not take part in the stage — an 184-kilometer ride from Tubach to Weinfelden — and those who did, observed a minute’s silence.
A dove was released as a further moving tribute.
The withdrawals came despite organizers saying they had decided to proceed with the remainder of the race after consulting the teams and the rider’s family.
“We respect the decision of each team and the individual riders, which aligns with what we had predicted,” organizers said. “There will be a race over the original planned route, but the times for the overall standings will be taken at the 25 kilometers to the finish mark (prior to the final climb of the stage).”
World road race champion Remco Evenepoel said those racing Saturday were planning more to go through the motions than compete for victory.
“The remaining race favorites agreed to refrain from attacking today,” he said. “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 helped organize an unofficially neutralized section amongst the favorites, before he rode away to victory in the finale.
“We decided together it would be appropriate that way,” said Evenepoel, who is favorite to win the race, which culminates Sunday with a 26-kilometer individual time trial.
Remco Evenepoel s'impose devant Wout Van Aert lors de cette 7e étape. Le champion du monde aura passé la ligne en rendant un hommage à Gino Mäder. ? #RTLsports
Le Tour de Suisse est à suivre chaque jour en direct sur Proximus Pickx + Sports. pic.twitter.com/eIbUtqF4gT— RTL sports (@RTLsportsbe) June 17, 2023
