Two total groups, in addition to a number of particular person cyclists, withdrew from the Tour de Suisse on Saturday, following the dying of Gino Mäder.
Mäder’s group instantly pulled out, and so they had been joined Saturday by Tudor and Intermarche prior to the seventh stage. In all, 36 riders didn’t participate in the stage — an 184-kilometer experience from Tubach to Weinfelden — and those that did, noticed a minute’s silence.
A dove was launched as an additional transferring tribute.
The withdrawals got here regardless of organizers saying that they had determined to proceed with the rest of the race after consulting the groups and the rider’s household.
“We respect the decision of each team and the individual riders, which aligns with what we had predicted,” organizers mentioned. “There will be a race over the original planned route, but the times for the overall standings will be taken at the 25 kilometers to the finish mark (prior to the final climb of the stage).”
World highway race champion Remco Evenepoel mentioned these racing Saturday had been planning extra to undergo the motions than compete for victory.
“The remaining race favorites agreed to refrain from attacking today,” he mentioned. “Today will be really tough for us in the peloton to focus, to start the stage. However, we respect the decision of his family, and his team, to resume the race.”
Evenepoel helped arrange an unofficially neutralized part amongst the favorites, earlier than he rode away to victory in the finale.
“We decided together it would be appropriate that way,” mentioned Evenepoel, who’s favourite to win the race, which culminates Sunday with a 26-kilometer particular person time trial.
Remco Evenepoel s’impose devant Wout Van Aert lors de cette 7e étape. Le champion du monde aura passé la ligne en rendant un hommage à Gino Mäder. 💫 #RTLsports
Le Tour de Suisse est à suivre chaque jour en direct sur Proximus Pickx + Sports. pic.twitter.com/eIbUtqF4gT— RTL sports activities (@RTLsportsbe) June 17, 2023
