'United in inexplicable grief' - Peloton completes Tour of Switzerland Stage 6 in memory of Gino Mader

Published 16/06/2023 at 15:41 GMT

Gino Mader's Bahrain Victorious team-mates crossed the finish line together in memory of the 26-year-old, who died on Friday morning after an accident at Stage 5 on Thursday. The rest of the peloton joined them for a shortened route that was completed without competition as they paid tribute to Mader, and Rob Hatch gave his thoughts on an "unspeakably sad" occasion.

'Thanks for all the light you brought to the world Gino' - Bahrain-Victorious cross line as one

Rob Hatch and Jip van den Bos reflected on an "unspeakably sad" Stage 6 of the Tour of Switzerland, as teams took part in a commemorative route for Gino Mader.

The Tour de Suisse organisers decided that they would neutralise Stage 6 of the race to commemorate the memory of Mader.

The Swiss rider, 26, died on Friday morning after his crash on the descent of the Abulapass towards the end of Thursday’s Stage 5.

Tour de Suisse Men

Bahrain Victorious, Tudor Pro Cycling and Intermarche-Circus-Wanty pull out of Tour of Switzerland

17/06/2023 at 11:07

Instead of the full stage, the peloton rode together for the last 20km of the planned route into Oberwil-Lieli, with the decision made with the participation of Mader’s family and the race organisers.

Mader’s team-mates from Team Bahrain Victorious were all in attendance, as were a number of his former colleagues from previous years.

Rob Hatch reflected on a day “when the world stops making sense” after feeling “sick to the bottom of the stomach” after hearing the news in the morning.

“Today will feel like a nightmare to most. Unspeakably sad.

“Aside from his sporting achievements, it was his personality that means this will be felt by a gigantic loss. Not just his family and friends, but his wider family in cycling, all of you watching, and who have gathered here this afternoon in the most tragic of circumstances. Taken from us all far too soon.

“Even for you who aren’t hearing of this for the first time, I know this will be devastating. It’s one of those days when life is cruel and unfair. I’m sure none of us understand why. Such a person, who was intelligent, friendly and open minded.

“As the wonderful stories emerge, nice stories continue to be told. Thanks Gino... for all the light you brought to the world. May you rest in peace."

Hatch also noted Magnus Sheffield’s own difficulties, having fallen in the same section of the stage, who was also taken to hospital.

He added: “Gino Mader tragically lost his life, Magnus recovering in hospital. We’re all thinking of you, Magnus.”

Discussing the Bahrain Victorious team, Hatch predicted that, “Anything and everything they may achieve, will be done so in his memory.”

As his team-mates crossed the finish line, Hatch added: “Once again all of our thoughts in the commentary box, the whole organisation, and I’m sure just for once you’ll allow me to speak for the whole cycling family. Our sympathies, our condolences, our thoughts are with Bahrain Victorious at this very moment.

“With the family, friends and loved ones of the last Gino Mader, who today, just the day after he was riding his bicycle against his mates, has died at the age of 26.

“A tragic, emotional, hurtful, day full of pain.”

Jip van den Bos on the commentary team, noted: “I have no words to express the sadness of this news. It’s just devastating. It’s just crazy it happens in a bike race.

“For the riders it’s their way to show support to his family, to his team-mates, and of course they’re not racing, they’re just showing their support by riding together to the finish line.

“I hope the peloton finds some support with each other today.”

As riders embraced from different teams after the finish line, Hatch said that cycling was a “family united in inexplicable grief.

“We live you with the memory of a young man taken too soon.”

Cycling