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CYCLING

Ireland’s Aqua Blue bus victim of Vuelta arson attack

Irish cycling team Aqua Blue Sport's bus at the Vuelta a Espana was badly damaged by fire after an arson attack early Thursday, the team confirmed.

Published: 31 August 2017 14:48 CEST
Ireland's Aqua Blue bus victim of Vuelta arson attack
The damaged bus pictured on Thursday. Photo: AquaBlueSport/ Twitter

A suspect has been arrested after the incident in the southern Spanish city of Almeria.

“Our team bus has been completely damaged in a cowardly arson attack over night,” Aqua Blue posted on their Twitter account, alongside a series of pictures of the damaged vehicle.

“No one was injured. Police have arrested a suspect.”   

Aqua Blue were still to take their place in Thursday's 12th stage from Motril to Antequera.

“Nothing is going to stop us starting today's La Vuelta stage. Thank you for all the support,” the team added on Twitter.

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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