Tour de Suisse - "Alone for Gino": Evenepoel wins after death

Jana Glose, dpa

One day after the accidental death of Gino Mäder, Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel won the seventh stage of the Tour de Suisse. On the last kilometre, the world champion kissed his fist and then raised his index finger to the sky.

He also commemorated Mäder with his winning gesture, clasping his hand over his left breast. Second place on the 183.5 kilometre stage went to his compatriot Wout van Aert ahead of the Frenchman Bryan Coquard.

"Of course, this victory goes to Gino and his family. It was the best way to honour him and pay respect to his family. It didn't matter to me that I couldn't win a time. This was for Gino alone," said Evenepoel.

After a minute's silence, only 113 riders set off on the penultimate stage between Tübach and Weinfelden on Saturday afternoon. The Swiss cycling team Tudor Pro Cycling, the Belgian cycling team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and Mäder's team Bahrain-Victorious had previously cancelled their participation in the Tour. In addition, 17 riders from other teams cancelled their participation.

No starting shot and no attacks

"It's strange to be back with a number on your back, but there will never be the right moment to continue with normal life," said van Aert before the stage. "It's up to everyone to make their own decision and follow their own feelings. There are no wrong decisions today."

There was no starting signal at the start. Instead, white doves were let fly. The riders wore a mourning flag and completed the majority of the seventh stage without attacking. In order to increase the safety of the riders, the organisers made changes at short notice. Although the stage length and profile remained unchanged with four mountain classifications, the time for the overall classification was taken 25 kilometres before the finish. In addition, there were no bonus seconds at the intermediate sprints and at the finish. The peloton passed the timing line together.

However, the pace picked up before the last mountain classification. The Belgian world champion Evenepoel launched an attack 18 kilometres before the finish and was able to defend his gap to the finish line. The day's winner had criticised the organisers for the route after Mäder's serious accident. It was not a clever idea to place the finish of such a stage after a descent, said the 23-year-old after the accident.

On Thursday, 26-year-old Mäder fell into a ravine at high speed on the descent from the Albula Pass to the finish in La Punt on the last few kilometres of the fifth stage and had to be resuscitated. One day later, the seriously injured Swiss rider died in hospital.

Sixth stage previously cancelled

The originally planned sixth stage was cancelled; instead, the pros commemorated their colleague on Friday with a 20-kilometre memorial ride. However, the tour was continued in consultation with Mäder's family as well as the teams and riders.

Mäder was also remembered elsewhere. His compatriot Simon Pellaud used a short attack in the Tour of Slovenia to show his farewell message to the camera. He formed a heart with his hands and pointed to the sky.

The final act of the Tour between St. Gallen and Abtwil is scheduled for Sunday. In the final time trial, the riders have to complete 25.7 kilometres and 415 metres in altitude. The Dane Mattias Skjelmose goes into the final stage with an eight-second lead over the Austrian Felix Gall. Spaniard Juan Ayuso and Evenepoel also still have a chance of overall victory with a gap of 18 and 46 seconds respectively.

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