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Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Saturday, June 17, 2023

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2022 Tour de France | 2023 Giro d'Italia

We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet. - Stephen Hawking

Les Woodland's book Cycling's World Championships: The Inside Story is available in print, Kindle eBook & audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Current racing:

• June 11 - 18: Tour de Suisse
• June 14 - 18: Baloise Belgium Tour
• June 15 - 18: Route d'Occitanie

Upcoming racing:

• June 19 - 16: National Championships
• July 1 - 24: Tour de France

Latest completed racing:

• June 4 - 11: Critérium du Dauphiné
• June 7 - 11: ZLM Tour
• June 4: Brussels Cycling Classic
• June 2: Giro dell'Appennino
• May 26 - 29: Tour of Norway
• May 6 - 29: Giro d'Italia
• May 16 - 21: 4 Jours du Dunkerque
• May 21: Rund um Köln
• May 20: Veenendaal - Veenendaal Classic
• May 7: Tro-Bro Léon
• May 6: GP du Morbihan
• May 1: Eschborn-Frankfurt

Most team websites were quiet today, I assume in respect for the death of Gino Mäder. But Team Jumbo-Visma posted this lovely eulogy.

The passing of Gino Mäder has also devastated Team Jumbo-Visma. Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Jan Tratnik and general manager Richard Plugge reflect on the sad loss and reminisce about the talented rider from Team Bahrain-Victorious.

Gino Mäder winning stage 6 of the 2021 Giro d'Italia

Tratnik, Mäder's teammate last year, often shared a room with the lamented Swiss rider. "We raced together a lot and were often roommates. I'll never forget the Vuelta in 2021 when he took home the white jersey. Gino was a helpful and hard-working guy. He was a very courteous and calm guy and a true professional. He was a little shy when we first met. Later, we actually grew close. Gino stood for his principles, and with that, he often inspired me. It is unbelievable that he is no longer here. I am going to miss him, and I will remember him forever."

Van Aert knew Mäder as a strong and talented rider. "It is unbelievable and incomprehensible. I don't have any personal memories of him, but he was hitting his stride as a rider in recent years. Accepting the passing of a rider from the peloton is difficult. It is also unreal because it makes you realise it can happen to anyone. Yesterday we started together, and there was nothing wrong."

The Belgian sadly knows what it is like to lose teammates. "It was double this morning because the seriousness of the situation had only really dawned on me on Thursday evening. When I passed the scene of the accident, all I saw was the doctor's car. After that, you go to sleep thinking about it and wake up on Friday morning with no news. We assumed that no news was good news, but we already kind of knew why the start was postponed. Then your thoughts go back to earlier moments."

Roglic is also speechless and saddened. He got to know Mäder after the seventh stage of Paris-Nice in 2021. After the Swiss had been in the lead virtually the whole day, Roglic sprinted to win in the final metres. After that, Mäder expressed sympathy and referred to Roglic as 'a great champion'. "We got to know one another better after that", Roglic said. "I don't know what to say. He was an amiable guy. I can only wish his family, friends and loved ones a lot of strength. Rest in peace, Gino."

Vingegaard also reminisces about Mäder: "My first memory is that we raced in the U23. We both fought for victories in the same races. He was a sporty, but certainly a feared opponent. On a day like this, everything can seem so pointless. We all chase our dreams and love what we do. I hope wherever Gino is, he will keep on dreaming. I will always remember him as a courageous rider. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Plugge extends his condolences and sympathy on behalf of the entire team. "Gino's death has rocked us to the core. It deeply affects all of us. We remember him as a good and friendly rider. We wish his family, friends and team all the strength in this difficult time."

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