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CYCLING

Vuelta cyclists ‘set sail’ from aircraft carrier

The third stage of the Tour of Spain got off to a cruising start on Monday as cyclists set off from on board a massive aircraft carrier at the southern Spanish port city of Cádiz.

Published: 26 August 2014 09:58 CEST
Vuelta cyclists 'set sail' from aircraft carrier
The pack ride past the Aircraft carrier "Juan Carlos I" at Cadiz harbour. Photo: José Jordan/AFP

Minutes before they embarked on a 198-kilometre voyage to the white-walled Andalusian town of Arcos de la Frontera, some of ‘La Vuelta’ cyclists posed with fighter planes and navy gear.

Then it was time to get the third stage of the 69th edition of Spain’s Tour underway.

Cyclists sped down the ramp of Spain’s biggest aircraft carrier, named after the country’s former King Juan Carlos, and pedalled along Cádiz’s port before hitting the road.

It’s not the first time ‘La Vuelta’ organizers have opted to stage part of the races in original locations.

Previous editions have seen cyclists start from everywhere from Formula One race courses to fishing boats, go over the finish line in Pamplona’s emblematic bull ring and even take on time trials at night through the streets of Seville.

As for Monday’s race, Australian rider Michael Matthews was victorious after an exhilarating sprint finish with Irishman Dan Martin and Spaniard Joaquín Rodríguez.

The 23-year-old ‘Aussie’ also took the overall race lead after crossing the line after 5h 12min and 14 sec. 

Do you like cycling? Get on your bike and check out these 10 amazing rides around Spain

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CYCLING

Swiss rider dies after fall into ravine on Tour of Switzerland

Swiss rider Gino Maeder has died from the injuries he sustained when he plunged into a ravine during a stage of the Tour of Switzerland, his team Bahrain-Victorious said on Friday.

Published: 16 June 2023 12:54 CEST
Swiss rider dies after fall into ravine on Tour of Switzerland

Maeder, 26, fell during a high-speed descent on the fifth stage between Fiesch and La Punt on Thursday, after an exhausting day marked by three ascents over 2,000 metres altitude.

He had been found “lifeless in the water” of a ravine below the road, “immediately resuscitated then transported to the hospital in Chur by air”, organisers said.

But the next day, “Gino lost his battle to recover from the serious injuries he sustained,” Bahrain-Victorious said in a statement.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of Gino Mäder,” his team wrote in a statement.

“On Friday June 16th, following a very serious fall during the fifth stage of the Tour de Suisse, Gino lost his fight to recover from the serious injuries he had suffered. Our entire team is devastated by this tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers are with Gino’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”

“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,” the team said in a statement.

Maeder had enjoyed a strong start to the season, finishing fifth in the Paris-Nice race.

American rider Magnus Sheffield also fell on the same descent from Albula, during the most difficult stage of the race with multiple climbs. The Ineos-Grenadiers rider was hospitalised with “bruises and concussion,” organisers said.

On Thursday, world champion Remco Evenepoel criticised the decision to compete on such a dangerous road.

“While a summit finish would have been perfectly possible, it wasn’t a good decision to let us finish down this dangerous descent,” the Belgian wrote on Twitter.

“As riders, we should also think about the risks we take going down a mountain.”

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