Source: Associated Press
LIVORNO—The team-mates of Wouter Weylandt crossed the finish line side by side and with their arms linked at the Giro d’Italia yesterday, completing a fourth stage honouring the Leopard-Trek cyclist who died in a high-speed crash. Weylandt’s close friend and training partner Tyler Farrar, who rides for Garmin-Cervelo, was invited to join the Leopard-Trek cyclists for the final part of the stage and was in tears as they rode over the line in unison. Farrar said earlier Tuesday he would pull out of the race after the stage. The 26-year-old Weylandt died on Monday after falling during a descent, the first fatality in the Italian race in 25 years.
As a result, the fourth stage became a ceremonial ride with no points on offer, and teams took turns riding up front in ten-kilometre intervals. Teams averaged 22 mph and bottom-placed Euskatel-Euskadi was the first team to set the pace. With three kilometres remaining, overall leader David Millar waved the Leopard-Trek team to the front to cross the line first. Instead of a presentation ceremony for the winner, the Leopard-Trek team stood on the podium with Millar and the three other jersey holders to pay their respects to Weylandt after a lone bugler played a solemn tribute.
A military bugler also played a tribute to Weylandt at the start, and the teams observed a minute’s silence and wore black ribbons. Before the race the Leopard-Trek bus was roped off and other riders and team staff were able to pass through to pay their condolences. Weylandt clipped a wall and tumbled hard to the ground when going down a mountain pass at a high speed. He lay motionless and bleeding heavily on the roadside before paramedics cut off his helmet and worked for 40 minutes to resuscitate him. An autopsy yesterday showed he died of internal injuries and damage to the base of his skull. The 21-stage Giro is due to finish in Milan on May 29. (AP)