Wouter Weylandt memorial thread

[hrotha]

http://road.cc/content/news/35761-1...bute-wouter-weylandt-while-helping-his-family

108 T-shirt lets you pay tribute to Wouter Weylandt while helping his family

buy here

http://stomachofanger.com/108.shtml

Damn, the shipping outside of the US is too expensive. I guess I should just donate directly.

 

[No_Balls]

Contador speaks about Weylandt. Some forumers in here tried to stir up a hate-monglering accusing him of trying to use a tragic accident by benefit himself (while snatching bonus seconds in the end).

Having had a life threatening accident himself at the 2004 Vuelta Asturias, the Spaniard was clearly affected when asked about the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt on Monday.

"This was really difficult for us to accept", he commented with some tears in his eyes.

"[Personal press officer] Jacinto [Vidarte] informed me once I passed the finishing line. It is impossible for me to describe my feelings at that moment. I remember we went at an incredible speed in that downhill. Everyone says Wouter was a really nice guy. He was a great rider who won a stage at the Giro last year and at the Vuelta before. It’s so sad…"

 

[RedheadDane]

Its impossible to know if the child will be better off being spared the pain of losing a father, but have you ever heard the saying:

"Better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all."

I think this applies here.

I was thinking having the child actually seeing it, like we did. Imagine the trauma that would cause in a little child, old enough to understand that this is daddy, not old enough to understand why. I don't think anybody really understands why.

And I think you can learn to love the memory of someone. Even if you haven't met them.

---

But something I've noticed; it seems as if we're going from "OMG!!! It's terrible!" to "At least he didn't suffer."

 

[thirteen]

I was thinking having the child actually seeing it, like we did. Imagine the trauma that would cause in a little child, old enough to understand that this is daddy, not old enough to understand why. I don't think anybody really understands why.

And I think you can learn to love the memory of someone. Even if you haven't met them.

---

But something I've noticed; it seems as if we're going from "OMG!!! It's terrible!" to "At least he didn't suffer."

we didn't know it was him. he was unrecognisable

it is doubtful any child young enough not to understand would have the patience or attention span to watch that. but if they were, an adult would sweep them up immediately as that was an horrific image regardless of who it was.

it is heartbreaking that this little girl will never know her daddy. that Wouter will never get to hold her.

---

as for a change in thinking, i don't believe there has been one. it is still as terrible as the day it happened. and, to those of us old enough to remember, we immediately thought of Casartelli when we saw it... instantaneous death. no suffering... grateful for small blessings.

---

the funeral is set for Wednesday.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It's something we can put aside... That's why the change in attitude.

The first days of shock, then the acceptance, and then life moves on. It would be different if Weylandt was your friend, family, colleague or you were close to him in any other way. They don't have the 'luck' of moving on so fast.

Anyone who is old enough or unfortunate enough to lose a person very close to you knows that it is different wether it's a stranger (even though a welknown cyclist) or someone you know personal.
Hence the difference in attitude after a few days

 

[just some guy]

Funeral on Wednesday - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/weylandts-funeral-scheduled-for-wednesday

 

[Benotti69]

Damn, the shipping outside of the US is too expensive. I guess I should just donate directly.

I imagine LeopardTrek will have something similar or the same t-shirt on their website soon.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

tonight, my favorite football team AA Gent will honour Wouter Weylandt.
Wouter was a supporter himself, and often visited matches.

Iljo Keisse will do the Kick-off, there will be a minute silence (or aplause, not sure), and the supporters prepared some banners.

This one was already shown the previous match (was an away match):

this huge one (compare with the trash containers) will be shown today

R.I.P. Wouter Weylandt...

 

[Michielveedeebee]

tonight, my favorite football team AA Gent will honour Wouter Weylandt.
Wouter was a supporter himself, and often visited matches.

Iljo Keisse will do the Kick-off, there will be a minute silence (or aplause, not sure), and the supporters prepared some banners.

This one was already shown the previous match (was an away match):


R.I.P. Wouter Weylandt...

nice gesture indeed, great to see that they honour him


RIP Wouter

 

[RedheadDane]

I love the fact that people still write Wouter on the road and hold up signs with 108 on.
In fact couldn't help thinking that a really nice thing to do was to make one of those huge "ground pictures" with simply 108 on. The beaches today would have been perfect.
Guess that's what i like about the whole 108 thing; it's so simple yet meaningsful.

 

[thirteen]

it's already in Wikipedia:

In Sports
108 is the number that the Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt when he crashed fatally in the Giro D'Italia on May 9, 2011. As a tribute lots of supporters were showing the number 108 by the side of the road the next day. The organization of the Giro D'Italia decided never to have a race number 108, to show respect to the late cyclist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_(number)

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Tribute by AA Gent supporters

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Video of the tribute. With his girlfriend An-Sophie and friend Iljo Keisse

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1023920

 

[The Hitch]

Nice to see a football team honor a cyclist.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

WW already ordered 4 season tickets for next season last week

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

 

[RedheadDane]

Got a question, was about to put it in the ToC stage thread but figured it was better here.
Stage 1 of the ToC was supposed to have started with a Minute-of-Silence for Weylandt. Was that moved to the second stage or did they actually hold it before being told that stage 1 was cancelled?

And, yeah... I know you could argue that it really doesn't matter. I just think it's neat that they actually planned it.

---

Riders in the ToC are riding on bikes with this little decoration:

 

[Moncoutie]

My thoughts are with his family & friends today.

 

[screaming fist]

So are mine.

Het Nieuwsblad has some photos of people attending the service - Might be a bit too much cheap tabloid style, especially shots of his grieving partner - but nevertheless quite moving to see how many people came.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Tyler & Iljo's speach on his Funeral:
http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1026850

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Tyler & Iljo's speach on his Funeral:
http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1026850

also just seen it, could hardly hold back my tears
so very very sad

 

[El Pistolero]

Was very busy here at the St. Pieters church.

 

[Christian]

Very moving, thanks for sharing ...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The video of his sister speaking sent me crying again

 

[craig1985]

Video of the tribute. With his girlfriend An-Sophie and friend Iljo Keisse

http://www.sporza.be/permalink/1.1023920

Sophie was very brave in the video, even though I could possibly never understand what she is going through. I assume that was Wouter's parents that was to Sophie's left.