Cyclist Gino Mäder Dead at 26 After Fatal Tour de Suisse Crash

Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder died today at age 26 following a gruesome crash during the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse. His team, Bahrain Victorious, announced the news today after he suffered major injuries yesterday.

Mäder collided at high speed with American cyclist Magnus Sheffield on Thursday as they were descending the Albula Pass nearly 200 kilometers into the race. The 26-year-old athlete fell into a ravine and was found motionless in the water but was resuscitated and airlifted to a local hospital. He was declared dead today at 11:30 a.m. local time.

“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," the Bahrain squad said in a statement. "Gino was an extraordinary athlete, an example of determination, [and] a valued member of our team and the whole cycling community. His talent, dedication, and passion for the sport has inspired us all."

Bahrain Victorious' managing director Milan Erzen also shared his condolences this morning. “We are devastated by the loss of our exceptional cyclist, Gino Mäder. His talent, dedication, and enthusiasm were an inspiration to us all. Not only was he an extremely talented cyclist, but a great person off the bike," he mourned. "Bahrain Victorious will race in his honor, keeping his memory on every road we race. We are determined to show the spirit and passion Gino displayed, and he will always remain an integral part of our team."

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Mäder joined Bahrain Victorious in 2021 and has previously won stages of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de Suisse. He also placed fifth overall in the 2021 Vuelta a España and won the young rider classification that year.

Besides being a great teammate, Mäder was passionate about causes off the road. Last year, he announced he would help fight the climate crisis by donating one Swiss franc ($1.12 USD) for every rider that finished behind him in races in 2022.

The Tour de Suisse's final three legs will take place over the next few days as planned. The popular Tour de France prep race will conclude on Sunday in the picturesque village of Abtwil.