If you missed Universal Sports' special tribute to Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt last night, you can see it online at www.universalsports.com/cycling
Weylandt tragically died Monday after a horrific crash on a difficult descent late in Stage 3 at the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old Weylandt, a member of the Leopard-Trek team, was the first rider killed in a crash in one of cycling’s three main tours since Italian Fabio Casartelli died during the 1995 Tour de France.
The “Special Stage 3 Report” is hosted by Universal Sports anchor Steve Schlanger and cycling expert Todd Gogulski. The show provides insight on what this tragedy means for the remaining stages of the 2011 Giro d’Italia and reactions from major cyclists via twitter, including Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish. The coverage will also feature a video chat with Velonews European Correspondent Andrew Hood, and his interview with Garmin-Cervelo Team Director Bingen Fernandez, one of the first people on the scene.
Said Gogulski on what Weylandt’s death means to the cycling community: “It’s a very tight community and they may be battling amongst each other day-in and day-out, but a loss like this is felt deeply by everybody. I called so many different riders and mangers after this news and nobody even knew what to say. They are so saddened and so sickened. It’s just tragic to lose a man like this.”
The tribute will also include a re-air of Weylandt’s third stage victory of the Giro on May 12, 2010. Weylandt, a member of team Quick Step at the time, was known for his sprinting capabilities and showed them in a sprint to the finish against Australian Graeme Brown.
