The rider's tribute ride to a colleague and friend: Giro d'Italia Stage 4

[boomcie]

Apparently yes.

I'm man enough to admit I shed a tear during those scenes

RIP Wouter.

Somebody was repairing the parquet floor next to my sofa, so it kind of ruined the intimacy of the moment for me. Otherwise I'd probably have joined you.

 

[oncearunner]

The last km made me reach for the kleenex too.

What a great memorial that was.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Wow.

That was one of the most moving moments I have ever witnessed in sport. I lost it in front of the tv watching Tyler in tears among the Leopards, the churchbells, the applause.

Solemn, sad, appropriate, heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

 

[Ferminal]

Leopard about to move onto the stage.

 

[Hawkwood]

Playing The Last Post on the podium

 

[BM1979]

Brothers In Arms , Magical way to honour a lost friend taken before his time

 

[Barrus]

I myself was really amazed at the differences in which commentating teams dealt with the situation. Both the Dutch guys from Eurosport and the Flemish people from Sporza were very solemn and did not say much, most of the time they were silent. On the other hand there was the British Eurosport commentating team that appeared uneasy with any silence and just kept on talking.

 

[Benotti69]

A beautiful and fantastic show of true sportsmanship today from all participants. Its not all about winning and today proved that there is more to life than winning.

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Very touching indeed
The Farrar, Wegmann close-up was too much

 

[jsem94]

Nooo. I missed the final 30km today. Is it going to be worth checking the rerun later tonight? I probably should..

RIP

 

[superconfex]

I myself was really amazed at the differences in which commentating teams dealt with the situation. Both the Dutch guys from Eurosport and the Flemish people from Sporza were very solemn and did not say much, most of the time they were silent. On the other hand there was the British Eurosport commentating team that appeared uneasy with any silence and just kept on talking.

David Harmon and Sean Kelly were immense today

 

[Anonymous]

I am welling up just reading. I missed it by just a few minutes. I hope there will be video of it somewhere.

 

[lancaster]

heart wrenching.

 

[thirteen]

i'd like to thank all of you here for having somebody to share the moment with.

 

[will10]

I myself was really amazed at the differences in which commentating teams dealt with the situation. Both the Dutch guys from Eurosport and the Flemish people from Sporza were very solemn and did not say much, most of the time they were silent. On the other hand there was the British Eurosport commentating team that appeared uneasy with any silence and just kept on talking.

I think Harmon and Kelly were brilliant today. They had a tough job today - how on earth do you commentate on something like this? But they were exceptional - completely appropriate and clearly both moved by what we saw as much as we all were. Chapeau.

 

[boomcie]

i'd like to thank all of you here for having somebody to share the moment with.

Me too, I really applaud how the whole community reacted.

 

[Amsterhammer]

i'd like to thank all of you here for having somebody to share the moment with.

Me too. That's why I came here today for the first time in ages.....I am also SO relieved that I wasn't the only big, sniffling p u s s y watching that climax.

 

[Francois the Postman]

David Harmon and Sean Kelly were immense today

Aye, I'd challenge anyone to "waffle" (as he called it) as respectfully and appropriately as they did it for even half of that transmission, on a day like this. A tremendous day on the job indeed, and it won't have been easy to show up for work today.

They certainly didn't take the easy road by commentating all the way (without criticizing those that felt there was little to be added to what was plain for all to see).

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Me too. That's why I came here today for the first time in ages.....I am also SO relieved that I wasn't the only big, sniffling p u s s y watching that climax.

Agree it was a fitting tribute to Wouter and it was comforting to share it here.

(Good to see you back too)

 

[Cervelo77]

I caught the last 3 kms and must say that was a really moving display of respect and mourning. Farrar riding with the Leopard-Trek riders teared me up.

 

[luckyboy]

Very touching.

Felt a bit silly telling my girlfriend that I have cried over a cyclist the past two days. She doesn't understand.

RIP Wouter

 

[greatking88]

David Harmon and Sean Kelly were immense today

They truly were, Sean Kelly himself lost his brother in a cycling accident

 

[Fus087]

A great tribute to a great rider.
Farrar in line with the Leopard riders - just how it should be.
Respect to the many spectators along the road, applauding the entire way. That's class.

I hope every rider takes the decision that feels right for him. And if some Leopard riders continue, I sure hope one of them wins a stage, fair and square, without any deals. I think some of the other stage winners will dedicate their wins to Weylandt too.

No idea if the nr. 108 should be retired from the Giro. They didn't do that with Casartelli, or Kivilev, or any other as far as I know. But that's no reason not to do it now.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Me too, I really applaud how the whole community reacted.

Agreed. It was good to see the forum react like they did. Proud to be a CN contributor today

also wanna mention Francois and the other mods, whom I think did a fine job controlling situation.

Very touching.

Felt a bit silly telling my girlfriend that I have cried over a cyclist the past two days. She doesn't understand.

RIP Wouter

lol my girlfriend the same, she was seriously confused at my sadness over the past 2 days..

I think Harmon and Kelly were brilliant today. They had a tough job today - how on earth do you commentate on something like this? But they were exceptional - completely appropriate and clearly both moved by what we saw as much as we all were. Chapeau.

I agree. Harmon trying to not cry was brilliant also.

touching stuff...

 

[max_powers]

Thanks for this Forum today

We cyclists experince our sport like few other participants in their chosen pastimes.

and We must maintain vigilence and responsibility for our safety to continue that most beautiful of sports lifestyles.