The effect of Wouter Weylandts death

[climber888]

Yesterday marked an extremely sad day in the sport of cycling, when Wouter Weylandt died on a descent in the Giro de Italia. It has obviously had a major impact on the rest of the peloton, and I believe it will change the way this Giro de Italia is raced. Do you think that riders will be more cautious on the descents now, do you think the racing will be more subduead and less agressive, and do you think that this could ultimately make some cyclists reconsider their profession? Whats your view on the effect Wouter Weylandts death is going to have for the rest of the race?

R.I.P Wouter Weylandt

 

[dlwssonic]

No, The peloton is well aware of the dangers that they have to go through as professional cyclist. I believe they will still continue with their same ways, taking the same risk. This types of occurences are very rare and it will not affect the spirit of the peloton.

 

[Christian]

Kurt Hovelijnck (30) from Donckers Koffie ends his career because of Wouter Weylandt's death. Hovelijnck had been placed in an artificial coma for 3 weeks in 2009, and finished 19th in this year's Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne.

http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-weylandt_kurt_hovelijnck_stoppe_sa_carriere-15160.html

 

[No_Balls]

Yesterday marked an extremely sad day in the sport of cycling, when Wouter Weylandt died on a descent in the Giro de Italia. It has obviously had a major impact on the rest of the peloton, and I believe it will change the way this Giro de Italia is raced. Do you think that riders will be more cautious on the descents now, do you think the racing will be more subduead and less agressive, and do you think that this could ultimately make some cyclists reconsider their profession? Whats your view on the effect Wouter Weylandts death is going to have for the rest of the race?

R.I.P Wouter Weylandt

No. They might occasionally (during a descent) reflect on the dangers but they are after all competitors and racing spirits. You just don´t think about death when chasing wheels and gaining positions.

If they thought about death then they would quit racing.

 

[climber888]

can't believe someone actually quit

 

[CyclingPeet]

Kurt Hovelijnck (30) from Donckers Koffie ends his career because of Wouter Weylandt's death. Hovelijnck had been placed in an artificial coma for 3 weeks in 2009, and finished 19th in this year's Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne.

http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-weylandt_kurt_hovelijnck_stoppe_sa_carriere-15160.html

Today in Flemish papers, Hovelinck says that he will continue racing for his friend.
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=GMJ3A0G8N
RIP Wouter.

 

[Martin318is]

can't believe someone actually quit

At least one rider who passed him on the road has been quoted as saying they nearly quit racing right there and then. (was it russell downing?)

I also know 2 club racers who are seriously thinking about quitting.

 

[Archibald]

i think they'll be a little cautious to begin with, then the competitive spirit will take over

I feel the quitting side of things is more an immediate emotional reaction to the situation. Wouter's crash can be had by many riders and not all will end with the same result. Same goes for all other accidents, whether cycling or tripping in the street.
In my early days of skydiving, myself and another novice made exactly the same mistake on a landing approach - the only difference was the position of my right foot. I bounced and had nothing but superficial injuries. He bounced and is now a quadraplegic...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Today in Flemish papers, Hovelinck says that he will continue racing for his friend.
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=GMJ3A0G8N
RIP Wouter.

Weylandt, Nolf, De Fauw, were all friends and training partners of Hovelinck, all died over the last 2 years.

Weylandt was the one who was with him after his crash on a training ride that put him in a severe coma, Weylandt that day saved his life.

It's hard even to imagine how tough this must be for guys like him, Farrar, Keise...

 

[Wergeland]

At least one rider who passed him on the road has been quoted as saying they nearly quit racing right there and then. (was it russell downing?)

L.P. Nordhaug (Sky) said he passed just a meter away from Wouter and right there he felt like getting off his bike and quit cycling.

 

[Cimber]

As Kasper Klostergaard said it: "You wont think about it when you are racing hard and your pulse is at 180. Luckily"

 

[Christian]

Maarten Wynants (Rabobank), 20th of this year's Tour des Flandres and initially scheduled to race the Tour of California, has decided to pass on the american stage race.

He was a good friend of Wouter Weylandt's and the two rode together from 2007-2010 with the Quick Step team. Wynants prefers to stay in Belgium with his and Weylandt's family, and will be replaced in California by Coen Vermeltfoort.

http://www.cyclismactu.net/news-weylandt_wynants_renonce_au_tour_de_californie-15174.html

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Karl Vannieuwkerke decided to go home early. He was commentator for the Belgian TV

Good thing imho. Today it was clear he was no good for commenting on this race anymore. All he could do is remind us how dangerous everything is.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Good to hear indeed.

But I do realize this should be 100 times as hard for him as it is for me...

 

[ansimi]

It might have long-term effects on how some riders race.

I imagine many of them had very emotional phone calls with their families about the risks of their jobs.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Helmets sale has increased dramatically last week in Belgium.
At least this has one positive effect...