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

[Amsterhammer]

I couldn't get the link to Sporza previously posted to work. Here is the minute's silence report from Dutch tv.

http://nos.nl/video/239367-minuut-stilte-voor-wouter-weylandt.html

 

[thirteen]

Sad day to be in Ghent.

raises her hand

even when i woke this morning, it was raining.

the heavens above Ghent were crying for Wouter.

 

[CatsNK]

I thought they would replay last year's stage 3.

Universal Sports did this last night - it was a good tribute.

 

[Archibald]

Actually I think it is entirely appropriate that RAI cover the stage as normal - it offers everyone - from the tifosi on the road to the fans tuning in - the opportunity to acknowledge this sad occasion.

Also, it must be said - the cycling community is a close bunch and I am very heartened and proud of all on the agreed format for todays stage in memory of Wouter.

Too often, the commercial interest reigns and hollow platitudes are put out that "they would have wanted us to race or continue on" etc.
It is one of the beautiful aspects of this sport - how the peloton comes together and the riders get to choose what happens today (and the organizers let them decide).

It is just a bike race so it is entirely correct to set aside the day in memory of their colleague and friend.

exactly.

I doubt Wouter would want everyone switching off their tv's from the sport he loved. Same goes for riding/racing...

If I could watch today's stage, I would be. The occasion must be acknowledged and Wouter honoured. I am hoping that somehow in the next 3 weeks, Leopard trek win a stage.

 

[Ferminal]

http://www.raisport.rai.it/dl/raisp...a-2049-442c-a45e-18236e0b2821.html?refresh_ce

120km to go, BMC doing their turn.

Good to see crowds on the side of the road.

 

[Spare Tyre]

The Gazzetta feed has started: http://videochat.gazzetta.it/index_giro.shtml

They showed the minute's silence. Very moving.

 

[Spanky]

It would seem some of you have not experienced death yet, good luck to you.

Its not about being remembered by some racing.

Its about the rest of the blokes who rode over the not yet dried blood of a fellow rider, a friend, son, a brother, a lover, a soon to be father who now lies cold.

Yesterday they knew him, ate with him, spoke to him, rode with him, today he is dead. Do you want them to do cartwheels as well as race?

The elite Peleton is a close bunch. Would you go off to golf tomorrow if your Brother dropped dead in front of you today on the golf course? Would he be honoured by some good golfing the next day?

They are not up to racing today, they dont want to because they dont feel like it and out of respect for a brother, get it?

+1 Thank You.

From being a long time observer of this forum I'm beginning to think that some of the posters believe Pro Cycling to be some sort of computer game populated by robotic riders ready to attack at will and ride when necessary with a bottomless pit of energy and power.

Now it seems that others see it as a soap opera populated by actors. It's inconvenient for you that the scriptwriters have killed of Weylandt and todays episode will be a bit 'boring'. "If I was a writer on this I'd have them racing full gas today because thats what Joey Tribbiani, sorry Wouter Weylandt would have wanted.........". Some of you need to wither have a long chat with yourselves or go and talk to your parents about real life.

 

[dlwssonic]

vaconsoleil on the front

 

[Mellow Velo]

Just as I said. 10kms each team.
They are travelling fairly quickly.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Just as I said. 10kms each team.
They are travelling fairly quickly.

Between 37 and 40 km/h was the deal

 

[will10]

Fantastic to see so many people making tributes at the side of the road. They knew there'd be no racing but there's more people on the roadside than if they were racing today. Very poignant to see.

 

[dlwssonic]

good to see some of the fans on the road wearing black

 

[theswordsman]

I'm watching as part of the grieving process - kind of like attending a wake. I might have to turn off the English commentary, but for me it would feel worse to avoid it. But everyone is different. Maybe it's a day to remind ourselves that pro cyclists are people.

 

[Ferminal]

Anyone get a screen grab of the big pink jersey the fans put up?

 

[luckyboy]

Good to see that big pink jersey at the roadside with Dedicated to Weylandt printed on it.

 

[Spare Tyre]

I'm watching as part of the grieving process - kind of like attending a wake. I might have to turn off the English commentary, but for me it would feel worse to avoid it. But everyone is different. Maybe it's a day to remind ourselves that pro cyclists are people.

I'm watching in much the same spirit.

I watch these guys and love it when the going is good. I feel like my part of the deal is to also watch when they are taking part in a memorial procession. That way we can all honour Wouter Weylandt together.

 

[CatsNK]

+1

I'm watching in much the same spirit.

I watch these guys and love it when the going is good. I feel like my part of the deal is to also watch when they are taking part in a memorial procession. That way we can all honour Wouter Weylandt together.

It's hard to watch, but feels like the right thing to do. I don't want to turn my back on them during a sorrowful time.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I appreciate the forum and you posters...a place to go to listen and exchange...it really helped yesterday.
cheers,
mew

I think the stage today was very nicely done....

 

[Anonymous]

 

[No_Balls]

That pink shirt really is a class act.

Mourning and grieving unites in a nice way.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

According to the German Eurosport announcers, he had been sharing a room at the Giro with Fabian Wegmann. Last night Wegmann decided he couldn't take the room alone, and bunked up with some teammates. Not that he could sleep anyway.

Susan

 

[thirteen]

According to the German Eurosport announcers, he had been sharing a room at the Giro with Fabian Wegmann. Last night Wegmann decided he couldn't take the room alone, and bunked up with some teammates. Not that he could sleep anyway.

no wonder he looked barely able to hold it together during the moment of silence... poor guy

 

[Benotti69]

RAI showing very emotional scenes of Sophie and Wouters family visiting the scene of the accident where they have laid flowers.

 

[Hawkwood]

Very moving to see such large crowds.

 

[Ferminal]

Flags along the coast as the ride by at half-mast.