Bahrain Victorious withdraw from Tour de Suisse after death of Gino Mäder

The Bahrain Victorious team have withdrawn from the Tour de Suisse following the death of their rider, Gino Mäder, after crashing into a ravine on Thursday’s stage.

The team made the announcement on social media on Saturday, after it was confirmed that the race would continue with the final two stages this weekend despite Mäder’s death. Friday’s stage had been neutralised, with riders completing the final 20km together as a mark of respect for the 26-year-old.

“Following the tragic loss of Gino Mäder, Team Bahrain Victorious has taken the decision to withdraw from [the] Tour de Suisse,” the team said in a statement on Twitter. There had been questions over whether the Tour would be completed, and also whether or not the women’s edition would begin as planned on Saturday.

The race director, Olivier Senn, said: “After consultation with all the people involved, we as the management stand united behind this decision and are trying to hold the last two stages of the men’s race in an appropriate setting.”

Uncertainty remains over the end of the race, however, with two other teams – Tudor and Intermarché-Wanty – also withdrawing from the final two stages. “Under these difficult circumstances, we feel it is the human way to respect the feelings of our riders and pay respect to Gino,” wrote Tudor in a statement. Another Swiss team, Q36.5, have said they will continue riding in honour of Mäder.

Mäder crashed on Thursday’s descent towards La Punt and fell into a ravine where he was found unresponsive by the race doctor. The Swiss cyclist was resuscitated before being airlifted to Chur hospital, but his death was announced on Friday morning by Bahrain Victorious.

Saturday’s men’s stage is scheduled to run 183.5km from Tübach to