Leopard pulls out after Giro tragedy
Source: Agencies |
May 12, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WOUTER Weylandt's Leopard Trek teammates pulled out of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday after taking part in a "stage of respect" for the Belgian rider who was killed in a crash.
With the pace deliberately slow and the results for stage four not counting, team after team took over at the head of the pack during the 216km ride from Quarto dei Mille to Livorno in Italy.
Weylandt's eight remaining Leopard Trek teammates, accompanied by the Belgian's close friend Tyler Farrar of the United States, fought back tears as they moved to the front of the bunch with four kilometers remaining and crossed the line together with arms round each others' shoulders.
However, the Leopard Trek riders found the events of the past 24 hours too difficult to handle and pulled out of the three-week race late on Tuesday.
Weylandt, 26, died after falling off his bike coming down from Passo del Bocco on Monday and suffering multiple injuries.
"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," team manager Brian Nygaard said. "We wish to thank the other teams, the race organization 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."
The Leopard Trek riders struggled to control their emotions as they stood on the podium to hear The Last Post following the day's stage.
"He leaves a huge gap, it's something that never should have happened," Weylandt's Italian teammate Davide Vigano told reporters.
"But we won't forget the way the public have applauded us all the way along today's stage, either. To know we have that kind of support in these tough moments is very important."
One fan carried a sign saying "Condolences to the Weylandt family" while others showed their support by holding aloft Belgian flags.
With the pace deliberately slow and the results for stage four not counting, team after team took over at the head of the pack during the 216km ride from Quarto dei Mille to Livorno in Italy.
Weylandt's eight remaining Leopard Trek teammates, accompanied by the Belgian's close friend Tyler Farrar of the United States, fought back tears as they moved to the front of the bunch with four kilometers remaining and crossed the line together with arms round each others' shoulders.
However, the Leopard Trek riders found the events of the past 24 hours too difficult to handle and pulled out of the three-week race late on Tuesday.
Weylandt, 26, died after falling off his bike coming down from Passo del Bocco on Monday and suffering multiple injuries.
"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," team manager Brian Nygaard said. "We wish to thank the other teams, the race organization 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."
The Leopard Trek riders struggled to control their emotions as they stood on the podium to hear The Last Post following the day's stage.
"He leaves a huge gap, it's something that never should have happened," Weylandt's Italian teammate Davide Vigano told reporters.
"But we won't forget the way the public have applauded us all the way along today's stage, either. To know we have that kind of support in these tough moments is very important."
One fan carried a sign saying "Condolences to the Weylandt family" while others showed their support by holding aloft Belgian flags.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
