A Day of Remembrance: Tribute to Gino Mäder at the Tour de Suisse

Today’s sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse, initially set to take place from La Punt to Oberwil-Lieli over 215 kilometers, was instead dedicated to the memory of Swiss professional cyclist Gino Mäder. The decision to forgo the stage’s competitive aspect comes in the wake of Mäder’s tragic death yesterday, after a devastating crash during the descent of stage five.

Gino Mäder, a member of Team Bahrain Victorious, was a significant figure in the professional cycling world. His loss, both as an athlete and a person, has left a deep impact within the cycling community. As a tribute, today’s stage was converted into a reflective ride, where athletes from all participating teams came together in shared grief and respect.

The race management released a heartfelt statement expressing their sorrow: “The whole Tour de Suisse management is heartbroken. After the death of the Swiss professional cyclist Gino Mäder, our thoughts are with Gino’s family! We will remember Gino as a bon vivant and always with a smile on his face.”

The stage commenced with the members of Bahrain Victorious at the front of the peloton, leading the ride in honor of their teammate. It was a moving sight, reminding everyone present that cycling, for all its competition and rivalry, is a close-knit community that mourns together in times of loss.

Gino Mäder’s impressive career boasts several high-ranking finishes and stage wins in prestigious races. He will be remembered not just for his accolades but also for his sportsmanship and relentless spirit. In the 2021 Giro d’Italia and the Tour de Suisse, he secured stage wins, highlighting his exceptional talent and promising future.

His talent extended to the general classification races too, where he showed remarkable consistency. He achieved second place in the Tour de Romandie’s General Classification in 2022, and the 5th place in the General Classification of La Vuelta ciclista a España in 2021. His stage victories in the Tour de l’Avenir in 2018 spoke of his potential as a young rider.

Mäder’s strong performances in the Tour of Hainan in 2018, where he secured a stage win and finished second in the General Classification, were particularly memorable. His second-place finishes in stages of La Vuelta ciclista a España in 2020 and Paris-Nice in 2021 further underscored his versatility and tenacity.

It is impossible to encapsulate Gino Mäder’s career, character, and spirit within a single blog post. However, as we remember him today, we remember not just the cyclist, but the person. His resilience, good nature, and perpetual smile will forever be a part of cycling lore.

Today, the sixth stage of the Tour de Suisse served as a poignant reminder of the risks athletes face and the bond that unites them in times of sorrow. It was a testament to the strength of the cycling community and a tribute to the memory of a beloved athlete, Gino Mäder.