RAPALLO (Italy) // The professional peloton reacted with shock and sympathy as the tragic death of popular Belgian Wouter Weylandt following a fatal crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia began to hit home.
Weylandt was pronounced dead less than an hour after suffering fatal head injuries after crashing 20 metres to the road below while descending the Bocco mountain pass 25km from the finish line in Rapallo.
Lying bloodied and unconscious, the 26-year-old was given emergency medical treatment, including resustication. He was eventually taken to hospital by ambulance after an emergency helicopter could find no place to land.
As the peloton poured steadily over the finish line, where many were oblivious to the extent of the tragedy, his death was announced by Italian state television RAI.
Minutes later the sad news was confirmed by his Leopard-Trek team. "Today, our teammate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia," said Leopard-Trek Manager Brian Nygaard.
"The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter."
Even before Weylandt's death race organisers cancelled the post-race ceremony in Rapallo, where Spaniard Angel Vicioso, of the Androni team, won the stage ahead of new race leader David Millar of Britain (Garmin).
However the tragedy has cast a pall over the Giro, with much of the peloton expressing their sympathy in a series of post-race posts on Twitter.
"Today really puts everything in perspective, such a tragedy," said Australian Richie Porte, who led the race briefly last year. "RIP Wouter and thoughts with his family, friends and teammates."
Retired Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong expressed his shock at the news from his base in the US. "Just back from a run and got the news of Wouter Weylandt's death today in the Giro. I'm shocked and saddened. May he rest in peace," Armstrong said.
Reigning Giro champion Ivan Basso, who is not competing at the race, said: "It's incredibile how much destiny could be tragic. My condolences and a hug to family and friends. Rest in peace, Wouter."
Life and career-threatening crashes are a regular occurrence in cycling, however despite the dangerous nature of a sport in which riders can reach speeds close to 100km/h on mountain descents fatalities are comparatively rare.
Race director Angelo Zomegnan said he had taken every possible security measure prior to the tragedy but that they would now be beefed up.
"Since the crash we've gone to great lengths to ensure the security measures already in place are being checked and reinforced by specialist teams," said Zomegnan.
"No race in the world invests so heavily in ensuring we can come to the rescue of crash victims."