The seventh stage of the Tour de Suisse was held in singular circumstances on Saturday, the day after the announcement of the death of cyclist Gino Mäder. The overall times were neutralized with 25 kilometers to go, then world champion Remco Evenepoel raced to a solo victory. One hand on the heart, the other towards the sky.
The yellow jersey remains on the shoulders of Dane Mattias Skjelmose, of the Trek-Segafredo team, who dictated the pace until the last 25 kilometers. The leaders in the general classification having given themselves the word not to attack sooner.
Quebecers Nickolas Zukowsky (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Hugo Houle (Israel–Premier Tech) stayed in the peloton from start to finish. They finished 64th and 92nd respectively.
26-year-old Swiss Gino Mäder succumbed to his injuries after crashing down the Albula Pass on Thursday. The sixth stage which was scheduled for Friday has been canceled.
“It was less sad and intense than yesterday. We felt a certain solidarity in the peloton,” described Hugo Houle for his part.
The Bahrain-Victorious formation, of which Mäder was a part, has decided to withdraw from this 86th Tour de Suisse. Finally, three teams and 37 riders did not start the seventh stage, including three teammates of Houle at Israel-Premier Tech.
“Each team has their policy and handles the situation as they wish. We, each rider was free to do what was best for him. Everyone’s decision was respected, and that’s why we started with four riders,” he said.
This tragic episode sparked a lot of reactions in the cycling world, whether it was about the choice of the course or the risk taking of the athletes.
Nickolas Zukowsky, who wore the red jersey for the best climber earlier this week, spoke above all of an event that is “not easy emotionally”.
“The peloton stick together, we are rivals and colleagues at the same time. I didn’t know him personally, but losing someone who was practically by your side for a few days, it takes a while to digest all that. Everyone handles the situation in their own way and you have to respect that. There are more important things than the competition,” said the rider who sits in 67th place overall.
A 25.7 km time trial will complete the Tour de Suisse on Sunday. Hugo Houle is currently ranked 20th in the provisional general classification.
Olivia Baril (UAE Team ADQ) and Clara Émond (Arkéa Pro Cycling Team) started the women’s Tour de Suisse on Saturday, with a 56 kilometer stage in Weinfelden.
Baril, 24th (10 seconds) across the finish line, helped her Italian teammate Eleonora Camilia Gasparrini to finish third, with the same time as Hungarian winner Blanka Vas (SD Worx).
Clara Émond obtained the best result of her team by finishing 48th ( 1 min 43 s).
The second stage will take place on Sunday between St. Gallen and Abtwil, a 25.7 km individual time trial.