Wouter Weylandt crash- doesn't look good

bigpikle

not afraid to say I shed a tear when I heard.... A guy I rode with in Gran Canaria had a very similar accident right in front of me in January and nearly died - brought back too many horrendous feelings. Thoughts with his family and the team.

RIP Wouter.

Cleat Eastwood

barney96 wrote:

Shocking shocking news, eurosport shouldn't have shown him on the deck. Close up face shot - too fuxking far......

the pictures come from RAi I believe eurosport have no control over them and by all accounts Harmon was extremely sensitive to the situation.

squigs

http://www.leopardtrek.lu/news

zexel

Eurosport had no control over what was shown/not shown.

It was the host broadcaster RAI.

RIP Wouter

sportbilly1976

barney96 wrote:

Shocking shocking news, eurosport shouldn't have shown him on the deck. Close up face shot - too fuxking far......

Eurosport don't control the images - they come from the host TV network (RAI I believe).

Also, they do usually show the aftermath when a rider falls, I guess they didn't realise how serious it was until it was on the camera - the shot of him was for 1 or 2 seconds at most.

However - news sites that now have that image online are showing no respect to him.

NWLondoner

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

barney96 wrote:

Shocking shocking news, eurosport shouldn't have shown him on the deck. Close up face shot - too fuxking far......

the pictures come from RAi I believe eurosport have no control over them and by all accounts Harmon was extremely sensitive to the situation.

Even the RAI director wouldn't have known until too late. Once they realised they pulled the shot.

David Harmon did a great job considering.

TheYorkshireMan

This is obviously a tragedy for his family and those who knew him, and a black day for cycle sport, but such events do need to be kept in perspective, especially when events such the one reported below happen in the world - which to be honest had more of an impact on me that reading about this admittedly dreadful crash.

Nato units left 61 African migrants to die of hunger and thirst

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

Anyhow, I feel that one way or another the Giro far too often verges on becoming a TV and fans-friendly freak show, what with narrow, dangerous descents being put just kms from the finish when everyone will be tripping on adrenaline and going all-out for the win, ridiculously mountainous routes that turn the race into a suffer-fest, the use of dirt roads and so forth. True, crashes can happen anywhere in any race but the organisers desire to make the Giro even more difficult than the Tour de France often increases the risks riders face.

KillerMetre

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

This is obviously a tragedy for his family and those who knew him, and a black day for cycle sport, but such events do need to be kept in perspective, especially when events such the one reported below happen in the world - which to be honest had more of an impact on me that reading about this admittedly dreadful crash.

Nato units left 61 African migrants to die of hunger and thirst

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

Anyhow, I feel that one way or another the Giro far too often verges on becoming a TV and fans-friendly freak show, what with narrow, dangerous descents being put just kms from the finish when everyone will be tripping on adrenaline and going all-out for the win, ridiculously mountainous routes that turn the race into a suffer-fest, the use of dirt roads and so forth. True, crashes can happen anywhere in any race but the organisers desire to make the Giro even more difficult than the Tour de France often increases the risks riders face.

Pointless objectivity,I was waiting for one of these :roll: What do you expect from a cycling forum?!

RIP Wouter

wicked

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

This is obviously a tragedy for his family and those who knew him, and a black day for cycle sport, but such events do need to be kept in perspective, especially when events such the one reported below happen in the world - which to be honest had more of an impact on me that reading about this admittedly dreadful crash.

Nato units left 61 African migrants to die of hunger and thirst

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

Anyhow, I feel that one way or another the Giro far too often verges on becoming a TV and fans-friendly freak show, what with narrow, dangerous descents being put just kms from the finish when everyone will be tripping on adrenaline and going all-out for the win, ridiculously mountainous routes that turn the race into a suffer-fest, the use of dirt roads and so forth. True, crashes can happen anywhere in any race but the organisers desire to make the Giro even more difficult than the Tour de France often increases the risks riders face.

This is neither the time or place :roll: This thread is for Wouter lets keep it that way? RIP.

Va Va Boom

Watched it live today. Like others have said here it was trully sickening. My work collegue asked me to rewind it as he missed it but I refused.

Highlights what can happen at anytime in this sport.

Deepest sympathy to all who personally knew this excellent sprinter.

P_Tucker

Jesus. Anyone thinking about rewinding the footage to have a look - just don't.

OffTheBackAdam

Poor bloke, he was dead before he came to a stop. Looks like a massive cranial fracture. I also feel very sorry for both Vicioso & Millar too, their day of glory to be overshadowed by such tragic news.
I guess tomorrow's stage will be a procession, with the chequered flag taken by a Leopard Trek rider.

P_Tucker

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Poor bloke, he was dead before he came to a stop. Looks like a massive cranial fracture. I also feel very sorry for both Vicioso & Millar too, their day of glory to be overshadowed by such tragic news.
I guess tomorrow's stage will be a procession, with the chequered flag taken by a Leopard Trek rider.

That's the normal procedure, yes.

BBH

RIP a to a young talented rider
Thoughts and prayers go to his family & friends

(This is not the time, but a line should be drawn between spectator enjoyment and safety for the riders - this IMO is a line that needs a serious investigation after this tragedy).

TheYorkshireMan

wicked wrote:

This thread is for Wouter lets keep it that way? RIP.

Yes, let's all continue to make empty platitudes ('RIP', 'God bless', 'I'm gutted' ', and so on) about someone who we never knew and before this day were probably hardly aware of. It's the done thing, don't you know?

To my mind, unless those who said they 'prayed' for Weylandt, shed tears over his death and so on, react in the same way to other far greater human tragedies - such as the death of those refugees - then their declarations of empathy and compassion are pretty empty. Then again, it is a sad trait of humanity that empathy for others is often only extended to those who are perceived as being 'similar' in some way.

As I said, this is a black day for cycling and those who knew him personally, especially his family, will undoubtedly be genuinely devastated. However, as long as the fans demand that races such as the Giro present a 'spectacle' they are hardly best placed to wring their hands when a rider pays the price of the organisers attempting to provide them with 'thrilling entertainment'.

I'm happy to leave it there - unless others wish to take issue with what I have said, in which case perhaps they should start another thread.

dirtrackdel

omg, just seen the post crash footage and with the info on the crash and although I didn't see the crash sounds like he may have been killed instantly.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

R.I.P

NWLondoner

OffTheBackAdam wrote:

Poor bloke, he was dead before he came to a stop. Looks like a massive cranial fracture. I also feel very sorry for both Vicioso & Millar too, their day of glory to be overshadowed by such tragic news.
I guess tomorrow's stage will be a procession, with the chequered flag taken by a Leopard Trek rider.

I suppose in the circumstances that's the best way to go.

.Hopefully this way he was out cold and did not suffer.

P_Tucker

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

wicked wrote:

This thread is for Wouter lets keep it that way? RIP.

Yes, let's all continue to make empty platitudes ('RIP', 'God bless', 'I'm gutted' ', and so on) about someone who we never knew and before this day were probably hardly aware of. It's the done thing, don't you know?

To my mind, unless those who said they 'prayed' for Weylandt, shed tears over his death and so on, react in the same way to other far greater human tragedies - such as the death of those refugees - then their declarations of empathy and compassion are pretty empty. Then again, it is a sad trait of humanity that empathy for others is often only extended to those who are perceived as being 'similar' in some way.

As I said, this is a black day for cycling and those who knew him personally, especially his family, will undoubtedly be genuinely devastated. However, as long as the fans demand that races such as the Giro present a 'spectacle' they are hardly best placed to wring their hands when a rider pays the price of the organisers attempting to provide them with 'thrilling entertainment'.

I'm happy to leave it there - unless others wish to take issue with what I have said, in which case perhaps they should start another thread.

Jeeze. Whilst IMHO everything you said is absolutely correct, you are gonna get flamed BIG style.

rickyrider

P_Tucker wrote:

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

wicked wrote:

This thread is for Wouter lets keep it that way? RIP.

Yes, let's all continue to make empty platitudes ('RIP', 'God bless', 'I'm gutted' ', and so on) about someone who we never knew and before this day were probably hardly aware of. It's the done thing, don't you know?

To my mind, unless those who said they 'prayed' for Weylandt, shed tears over his death and so on, react in the same way to other far greater human tragedies - such as the death of those refugees - then their declarations of empathy and compassion are pretty empty. Then again, it is a sad trait of humanity that empathy for others is often only extended to those who are perceived as being 'similar' in some way.

As I said, this is a black day for cycling and those who knew him personally, especially his family, will undoubtedly be genuinely devastated. However, as long as the fans demand that races such as the Giro present a 'spectacle' they are hardly best placed to wring their hands when a rider pays the price of the organisers attempting to provide them with 'thrilling entertainment'.

I'm happy to leave it there - unless others wish to take issue with what I have said, in which case perhaps they should start another thread.

Jeeze. Whilst IMHO everything you said is absolutely correct, you are gonna get flamed BIG style.

Sometimes there's a big difference between correct and appropriate.

Anonymous

He isn't and shouldn't get flamed, he's entitled to that opinion.

However, IMO the reason this generates these thoughts by everyone is that we can empathise with it as we all ride our bikes, most if not all have crashed at some point and it could all happen to us. i.e. it makes us realise our own mortality and it's consequences for loved ones.

When we hear of tragedies involving circumstances we have no knowledge or understanding of, it's almost impossible for us to comprehend and we simply can't empathise no matter how hard we try.

That's the way I see it anyway.

disgruntledgoat

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

wicked wrote:

This thread is for Wouter lets keep it that way? RIP.

Yes, let's all continue to make empty platitudes ('RIP', 'God bless', 'I'm gutted' ', and so on) about someone who we never knew and before this day were probably hardly aware of. It's the done thing, don't you know?

To my mind, unless those who said they 'prayed' for Weylandt, shed tears over his death and so on, react in the same way to other far greater human tragedies - such as the death of those refugees - then their declarations of empathy and compassion are pretty empty. Then again, it is a sad trait of humanity that empathy for others is often only extended to those who are perceived as being 'similar' in some way.

As I said, this is a black day for cycling and those who knew him personally, especially his family, will undoubtedly be genuinely devastated. However, as long as the fans demand that races such as the Giro present a 'spectacle' they are hardly best placed to wring their hands when a rider pays the price of the organisers attempting to provide them with 'thrilling entertainment'.

I'm happy to leave it there - unless others wish to take issue with what I have said, in which case perhaps they should start another thread.

fieldy1973

NapoleonD wrote:

He isn't and shouldn't get flamed, he's entitled to that opinion.

However, IMO the reason this generates these thoughts by everyone is that we can empathise with it as we all ride our bikes, most if not all have crashed at some point and it could all happen to us. i.e. it makes us realise our own mortality and it's consequences for loved ones.

When we hear of tragedies involving circumstances we have no knowledge or understanding of, it's almost impossible for us to comprehend and we simply can't empathise no matter how hard we try.

That's the way I see it anyway.

Spot on for me NapD. The reason an incident like this hits home for me is that it makes me painfully aware that every time I get on my bike something terrible like this could happen. It's extremely unlikely and because of that I wouldn't usually give it a moments thought.

Although I did cycle home from work tonight I had absolutely no enthusiasm for it and could only imagine how my family would feel should a similar fate meet me when out on my bike.

mroli

Just as an aside, Wouter's webpage http://www.wouterweylandt.be/ links to a facebook page where people are leaving condolences.

I don't know whether or not you consider it an empty gesture as above, but I do know that loved ones can get some form of consolation, however slight it may be, from knowing their grief touches, however briefly, others.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/RIP-Woute ... 5628713448

pastey_boy

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

This is obviously a tragedy for his family and those who knew him, and a black day for cycle sport, but such events do need to be kept in perspective, especially when events such the one reported below happen in the world - which to be honest had more of an impact on me that reading about this admittedly dreadful crash.

Nato units left 61 African migrants to die of hunger and thirst

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/nato-ship-libyan-migrants

Anyhow, I feel that one way or another the Giro far too often verges on becoming a TV and fans-friendly freak show, what with narrow, dangerous descents being put just kms from the finish when everyone will be tripping on adrenaline and going all-out for the win, ridiculously mountainous routes that turn the race into a suffer-fest, the use of dirt roads and so forth. True, crashes can happen anywhere in any race but the organisers desire to make the Giro even more difficult than the Tour de France often increases the risks riders face.

For those who give a toss about the above story ,then please head over to "Migrant radar" to leave relevant comments.

CyclingBantam

NapoleonD wrote:

He isn't and shouldn't get flamed, he's entitled to that opinion.

However, IMO the reason this generates these thoughts by everyone is that we can empathise with it as we all ride our bikes, most if not all have crashed at some point and it could all happen to us. i.e. it makes us realise our own mortality and it's consequences for loved ones.

When we hear of tragedies involving circumstances we have no knowledge or understanding of, it's almost impossible for us to comprehend and we simply can't empathise no matter how hard we try.

That's the way I see it anyway.

I agree Nap although there is also a time and a place to make comments like that.

Personally, I think he has totally missed the point. Additionally, has shown no respect for other peoples opinions.
I feel pretty grim after hearing the news. Yesterday, I was hurtling down a descent with my club mates at 53mph and we were delighted. Half my pals ride bikes every day and I watch and respect the pro's. I'm upset a rider who could have been my pal has died. I feel a community spirit with cyclists, I wave everytime I see one. If someone wants to tell me im making empty comments they can. It is up to them.
Also, my dog died today. What a rotten day.

finchy

TheYorkshireMan wrote:

To my mind, unless those who said they 'prayed' for Weylandt, shed tears over his death and so on, react in the same way to other far greater human tragedies - such as the death of those refugees - then their declarations of empathy and compassion are pretty empty. Then again, it is a sad trait of humanity that empathy for others is often only extended to those who are perceived as being 'similar' in some way.

I felt very sorry for those in the boat, I felt very sorry for those that died in Srebrnica, Rwanda, the Japanese tsunami... but this is a cycling forum. A place to discuss cycling. And seeing as this is by far the biggest thing to happen in cycling this year, and seeing as many of the people posting will have seen his death happen on TV, then it's normal for people to discuss it here. And when they do discuss WW's death, what do you want them to say?

Anyway, a tragedy, I really feel for his family.

15peter20

Awful news, awful pictures, time to take stock. Sad news indeed.

Oh and TheYorkshireMan - you are a pompous arse.

c0ugars

RIP Welandt!!!!

at least he went out doing something he truly loved!!!

we will missed by many

P_Tucker

c0ugars wrote:

RIP Welandt!!!!

at least he went out doing something he truly loved!!!

we will missed by many

It's the way I'd like to go - ideally at about 75 though. Beats a long drawn out wait in a hospital bed.

Yellow Peril

Truly shocking news.

I think most people on this forum considered last year's Giro to be the best GT and everyone was looking forward to this year. Unfortunately part of what made the Giro so good to watch last year were the tough climbs and descents and it seems that a big price has now been paid for that and, although I have not seen any of today's stage, I feel a sense of shame having looked forward to seeing the riders on a tough parcours.

Hopefully lessons can be learnt to increase rider safety without compromising the racing. There will always be accidents and mishaps but part of Weylandts legacy will hopefully be that riders never have any doubts about the course that they are on.