Tour de Suisse: Continuation controversially discussed

Race director Olivier Senn can understand criticism of the continuation of the Tour de Suisse following the accidental death of Gino Mäder. The decision was also "controversially discussed" internally, reported Senn after the seventh stage: "There were all opinions. That has to be respected. Everyone deals with it differently." In his opinion, however, there is no right or wrong decision in this situation. "We hope it's the less wrong one."

The decision to continue the tour even after the death of Swiss professional cyclist Mäder was only made shortly before midnight on Friday and with the consent of the deceased's family, said Senn. "They are happy that it will continue and that it will go on like this. It would have been wrong for them to cancel, and it would have been wrong for us too," he explained after consulting Mäder's relatives. It was "one of the most difficult decisions we had to make at the Tour de Suisse".

Evenepoel dedicates stage win to Mäder

The penultimate stage on Saturday between Tübach and Weinfelden was won by Remco Evenepoel, and the Belgian cycling star dedicated his success to Mäder afterwards: "This victory naturally 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."

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.

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.

The final time trial will take place as normal on Sunday in St. Gallen. "Everyone can decide for themselves how they want to ride, nothing will change there," said race director Senn.

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