Swiss cyclist, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Gino Mäder dies at 26 after crash at Tour de

Swiss road cyclist Gino Mäder has passed away on Friday, 16 June, as a result of a serious crash on stage five of the Tour de Suisse. He was 26.

“Gino lost his battle to recover from the severe injuries he sustained,” the Bahrain Victorious team wrote in a statement.

“Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Mäder crashed on the descent of the Albula Pass, and along with him was US rider Magnus Sheffield of Team INEOS, who suffered a concussion and soft tissue damage.

The Swiss cyclist was found unconscious and medical staff performed CPR before he was airlifted to the hospital.

“Despite the best efforts of the phenomenal staff at Chur hospital, Gino couldn’t make it through this, his final and biggest challenge, and at 11:30am we said goodbye to one of the shining lights of our team,” said the team.

The Bahrain Victorious rider turned professional in 2019. He was part of the Swiss cycling team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he competed in the road race and finished 74th. His top career results include a stage win at the 2021 Giro d’Italia and a stage victory at the Tour de Suisse in the same year.

Mäder also won the young rider classification at the Vuelta a España in 2021, ahead of the 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal. The Swiss finished fifth at this year’s Paris-Nice.

“The cycling community has today lost a promising young rider who was destined to be part of important chapters of our sport,” the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement.

“Devastated by the news,” said world champion Remco Evenepoel. “My heart and strength is with Gino’s family, friends, teammates.”

The IOC President, Thomas Bach, also expressed his condolences for the passing of the cyclist.