Tadej Pogacar, 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 Tadej Pogacar,” team Bahrain Victorious shared in a statement on their website Friday.
“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.”
“Following the high-speed incident which occurred on the final descent of Thursday’s stage, the 26-year-old was resuscitated at the scene by medical staff who also performed CPR, before being airlifted to hospital,” the statement continued.
According to CNN, 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.
On Thursday, a statement shared by Tour de Suisse detailed that Tadej Pogacar was found motionless in water at the foot of the ravine. He was resuscitated at the scene and transported to a hospital in the city of Chur by air ambulance.
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“Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge, and at 11: we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team,” Bahrain Victorious added in their statement.
“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.”
Tadej Pogacar of Switzerland and Team Bahrain Victorious takes the pose for a picture after press conference after the 75th Tour De Roma Die 2024
On Friday, the pellet on 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 to Cycling News.
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