Tearful Farrar and Leopard-Trek lead riders across stage four finish line
- Tuesday, 10 May 2011
- 4 Comments
Leopard-Trek and Tyler Farrar cross the line in unison in memory of Wouter Weylandt, Giro d'Italia 2011, stage four
The peloton processed in a steady and sombre fashion through the Italian countryside today, mourning the loss of Wouter Weylandt and showing their respect for their colleague.
Leopard-Trek took to the front inside the last five kilometres of the stage and rode with Garmin-Cervelo's Tyler Farrar, Weylandt's best friend, several bike lengths ahead of the rest of the field.
The teams had agreed before the race that each would ride 10km at the front
of the bunch, allowing Weylandt's Leopard-Trek team-mates to lead the race
across the finishing line together.
They crossed the line arm-in-arm, many crying behind their sunglasses, and were met by a respectful silence from the crowds gathered at the finish.
The tour's jersey holders lined up behind them, with David Millar leading the rest of the field over the line.
The riders wore black armbands and a minute's silence was observed before the stage left Quarto del Mille this morning. Weylandt's pregnant girlfriend An-Sophie De Graeve attended the tribute at the start.
Weylandt lost his life after crashing on the descent of Passo del Bocco 25km before the end of Monday's stage three.
Spectators lined the roads with their own tributes to Weylandt
Fans hold up the number 108, Weylandt's Giro race number
Race leader David Millar
Wouter Weylandt's Leopard-Trek team and his close friend Tyler Farrar cross the line in unison at the end of stage four
Related links
Giro d'Italia 2011 stage four photo gallery
Millar organises tribute to Weylandt, Farrar heads home from Giro
Tuesday's Giro stage in memory of Weylandt
Giro d'Italia to continue despite Weylandt tragedy
Giro doctor describes actions to save Weylandt
Wouter Weylandt killed in Giro d'Italia crash
Reader comments
Add your commentsMay 10 19:21
Kevin Tran
I am very very sad.
May 10 20:36
Mark
Watching the end of today's stage was incredibly moving - I was crying along with the riders. What a beautiful and fitting tribute to Wouter Weylandt who lost his life at such a tender age.
I was there on the final mountain of the Tour de France in 1995 when Fabio Casartelli lost his life, when that sunny day seemed to cloud over - that was a dark day for cycling, and yesterday was no less a dark day.
My heart goes out to Wouter's family, his friends, to the entire Leopard-Trek team and to Tyler Farrar.
Rest in peace, Wouter.
May 10 23:20
arronski
Most moving bit of cycling i've ever seen.
May 11 13:44
adam monaghan
RIP Wouter.
A truely tragic event. My thoughts go out to your family and friends....