Wouter Weylandt dies in Giro d'Italia crash

20 comments
By Cyclingnews.com | Monday, May 9, 2011 6.14pm

Leopard-Trek's Wouter Weylandt was fatally injured today in a crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia. The 26-year-old went down on the Passo del Bocco and was unconscious at the scene.

Paramedics worked to revive the Belgian, doing CPR for an extended period of time before airlifting him to a nearby hospital. Doctors were unable to revive Weylandt.

"Today, our teammate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the third stage of the Giro d’Italia," said Leopard-Trek Manager Brian Nygaard. "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."

The third stage continued on, with riders not informed of the grave nature of Weylandt's crash, but race organisers canceled the podium ceremonies for stage winner Angel Vicioso (Androni Giocattoli) and new leader David Millar (Garmin-Cervelo).

Weylandt began his professional career as a trainee with the Quick Step team in 2004, following a victory the U23 Tour of Flanders and podium placings at the U23 Paris-Roubaix and E3 Prijs Harelbeke.

While his first of six full seasons with Quick Step was delayed by a case of glandular fever, his promise in the Classics was demonstrated with a second place in the 2006 Nokere Koerse.

While he spent much of his time at Quick Step as one of Tom Boonen's main helpers, he earned his victory in the top ranks in the 2007 Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen, where he also took second overall. He followed that with the Ronde van het Groene Hart and stages of the Tour of Belgium and Ster Elektrotoer.

After taking his first Classics podium with a third in Gent-Wevelgem, Weylandt won the 17th stage of the 2008 Vuelta a España in his first Grand Tour appearance. He last year won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, where he bested the top sprinters in the peloton after a marathon stage to Middelburg.

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Weylandt signed with the nascent Leopard Trek squad for the 2011 season.

Cyclingnews extends our deepest sympathies to Weylandt's family, friends and teammates.

More as information comes available

This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com.

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User Comments

There are 20 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 20 of 20 comments

  • My deepest sympathy goes out to him, his family, friends and his team. Truly sad.

  • RIP

  • So sad. I suppose it just happens really . . .

    RIP

  • It's a very strange thing that although I obviously don't know this man, I nonetheless feel a great sense of sadness every single time I hear of a fellow-cyclist dying in tragic circumstances.

    I guess the only consolation I can think of is that if I had to go, then I'd want to go doing something that I absolutely love...

  • Its just so sad, Sympathy to his family and friends, Rest in peace Wouter Weylandt.

  • RIP, respect.

  • Tragic, very sad news.

  • what a sad day or all us cycling fans.. our hearts go out out to the wife and family and friends of Wouter...RIP

    Blarney Cycling Club

  • My deepest sympathies to him and his family. I hope they find peace.

    A very sad day...

    RIP Wouter

  • How come F1 stars make more money than cyclists?

    The cyclists are the true heroes of any kind of racing.

    They should be payed lots more than any F1 racers.

    Cyclists are the last of the gladiators, actually putting

    their lives at risk every single day of their lives.

    Unlike many others...

    Period.

  • RIP Wouter Weylandt . I'll be cycling to work with a black armband tomorrow. Respect to you and your family.

  • A very sad day in cycling, no matter what disciplines you participate in. My condolences to his family friends and team mates.

  • Dear oh dear dreadful dreadful, his poor family and team mates, RIP ....

  • Thoughts going out to those he left behind, family and co riders alike, such sad news. Ride free young man, ride free.

  • Black armband what a respectful idea I'll do the same on my training ride this afternoon....

  • RIP ride the wind forever...

  • R.I.P. and condolances to both his Team mates and especially to his family. At least he died doing what he loved

  • So sad. I feel numb just thinking of what happened yesterday. I was watching it live at the time... shocking footage on Eurosport. Images that will stay with me for a long, long time. R.I.P. Wouter.

  • Condolences to all those who will miss him most.

  • so sorry mate A WASTE OF GREAT LIFE AND TALENT! R.I.P

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