Tributes pour in

INTERNATIONAL CYCLING UNION STATEMENT: "The UCI has learned of the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt during stage three of the Giro d'Italia. On behalf of the whole cycling family, the UCI President Mr Pat McQuaid wishes to extend his deepest sympathies to all members of Weylandt's family, all his friends and team mates, but also to all his colleagues on the Giro, who will have to overcome their grief to continue in the race."

LEOPARD-TREK MANAGER BRYAN NYGAARD IN A STATEMENT: "The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter. This is a difficult day for cycling and for our team, and we should all seek support and strength in the people close to us."

GIRO RACE LEADER DAVID MILLAR TO REPORTERS: "Our sport is very tragic at times, it has been throughout its history, but we get mixed up in a lot of stupid things in this sport. But the bottom line is that it's a sport that has its risks every single day."

MARK CAVENDISH ON TWITTER: "Things like this shouldn't happen. Absolutely sick to the stomach. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Wouter Weylandt."

BRADLEY WIGGINS ON TWITTER: "Days like this put this great sport we love into perspective, Wouter rest in peace now mate, thoughts are now with the family and friends."

LANCE ARMSTRONG ON TWITTER: "I'm shocked and saddened. May he rest in peace."

SAXO BANK TEAM OWNER BJARNE RIIS IN A STATEMENT: "On a day like this, all thoughts about results are irrelevant. It's a devastating tragedy for Wouter's family, friends, team mates and team."

KATUSHA TEAM PRESIDENT ANDREI TCHMIL IN A STATEMENT: "In the face of this terrible tragedy, which will leave its indelible mark on the Giro d'Italia story, we can only express our proximity to the family. The Giro should be, as always, a big sporting celebration. But, from tomorrow on, riding a bike will be much more difficult for everybody."

QUICK-STEP TEAM IN A STATEMENT: "For all of us, Wouter was a friend before he was a colleague. We remember him as an honest man, always available with a smile on his face and forever generous towards the next guy. Wouter leaves us with a terrible sense of loss and unbearable grief. We want to remember him with arms held high, crazy with joy after a victory, like the one at Middelburg last year."

ASTANA TEAM LEADER ROMAN KREUZIGER IN A STATEMENT: "Although we are not in the same team, he was one of our fellow riders on the roads, so it affects us. In this atmosphere, it will be harder to think of victory."