tuesday 10 May 2011 at 22h57
The 4th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2011 between Genova - Quarto dei Mille and Livorno has been neutralised, as expected, in honour of Wouter Weylandt (Team Leopard-Trek) who died on the roads of the Giro yesterday following a tragic fall in a descent.
Tonight, the team announces that the riders have decided to leave the Giro, just like his best friend Tyler Farrar already did before.
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The 4th stage: in commemoration of Wouter Weylandt
After the deadly fall of Wouter Weylandt yesterday, all riders participating in the Giro d'Italia 2011 decided together to commemorate the Belgian rider born in Ghent, who left us too early, during today's stage.After one minute of silence and the honorific sound of il silenzio, the riders of Team Leopard-Trek and the other riders of the Tour of Italy 2011 slowly started today's stage, applauded by the public.
The peloton rode in reduced speed, about 35 kilometers an hour, and the teams took the lead of the peloton each for 10 kilometers. At the finish, the riders of Team Leopard-Trek crossed the finish line together, accompanied by Tyler Farrar (Team Garmin-Cervélo) who said Wouter Weylandt was like a brother for him.
Team Leopard-Trek announces tonight they will leave the race
Fabian Wegmann, the team captain in the Giro, confirmed this: We have a lot of respect for the Giro d'Italia and for cycling, but we simply cannot continue racing given the circumstances. We are professional athletes, but we feel this is the right thing to do.
The manager of the team, Brian Nygaard added: The decision needed to be taken by the riders, because they are the ones that participate in the race. We have always said that we would stand behind their choice.
We wish to thank the other teams, the race organisation RCS, the Italian authorities and all the fans on the road between Genova and Livorno on today's stage, as the peloton paid tribute to Wouter Weylandt.
A wise decision which announces the tragic end of what should have been the first Grand Tour for the team from Luxembourg.
Tyler Farrar also already announced he would leave the Giro after today's stage. door Thomas Vergouwen
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1 comment | 3325 views
this publication is published in: Giro d Italia | Giro d'Italia 2011
by Dany45 over
Il est dommage de voir cette équipe quitter le Giro. Mais on peut comprendre le désarroi et la tristesse de ces garçons qui viennent de perdre un des leurs dans des circonstances aussi dramatiques.Bon courage à eux.