Weylandt cyclist dies in Giro d'Italia.

Once again was a cruel way, the risks, drivers must be received by street racing. In the frantic closing stages of the third Giro stage is rushed the field from the Pass Bocco at Rapallo on Monday (09/05/2011) in the descent. There, about 25 kilometers from the finish line hooked to Weylandt for information by marshals with a pedal in a stone wall that was 20 yards through the air and remained motionless on the asphalt.

Rescue helicopters could only end up late

After that were going on at the accident scene dramatic scenes. After his fall Weylandt had immediately lost consciousness, his face was covered in blood. The medical staff of the Tour of Italy were indeed within a few minutes for the seriously injured Belgians. But according to Italian media at the crash site there was no mobile phone reception. TV appeal by a Rescue helicopter was requested, but this took place in mountainous terrain long time no suitable landing site.

They will fight the hurrying race doctors on the streets with a heart massage to Weylandt life. Ultimately in vain, "was already unconscious when we arrived. Wouter We have 40 long tried, Minutes him. Reanimating Weylandt But it was to do nothing more," said Chief Medical Officer Giovanni Tredici later. Shortly thereafter, his team confirmed the death Weylandt Leopard Trek: "We have lost one friend shock. The whole team is."

Weylandt the fourth Todesofall the Giro

Also race director Angelo Zomegnan deplores after the horrific crash, "This is a very sad day for cycling, a bad news for the Giro I've seen on screen what happened.". The honors for the Spanish stage winner Angel Vicioso were immediately canceled. Nevertheless, the organizers will in the coming days, probably unpleasant questions. For several drivers and team managers had criticized the Tour of Italy, the route too difficult. Zomegnan tried for several years, his race, compared to more Tour de France with spectacular and in some cases borderline stages enhance athletic.

Weylandt is the fourth fatality in the 102-year history of the Giro. Before him were the Italian racing driver Ponsin Orfeo (1952), Spaniard Juan Manuel Santisteban (1976) and Italy's Emilio Ravasio (1986) died in each case after tragic fall. The death Weylandt will result in a legal investigation to be: on the evening after Weylandt fall opened the deputy prosecutor of Chiavari, Francesco Brancaccio, a preliminary investigation to clarify how the accident happened. He also ordered an autopsy of the corpse. The Giro d'Italia continues in spite of the tragic accident, announced race director Angelo Zomegnan.