Cycling world mourns Weylandt

The world of cycling was today trying to come to terms with the death of Belgian Wouter Weylandt in a crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia.

The 26-year-old Leopard Trek rider died after falling during a descent 25 kilometres from the finish of yesterday's 173km stage from Reggio Emilia to Rapallo.

The fall left him unconscious with blood coming from his mouth and nose and, even though medics gave him cardiac massage at the scene, they were unsuccessful in their attempts to revive him.

Race doctor Giovanni Tredici told reporters: "He died from a fracture to the front of his skull. We arrived at the scene 30 seconds after the crash. There was nothing we could do to revive him."

Weylandt was due to become a father in September.

Tom Van Damme, president of the Belgian Cycling Federation, said: "We are lost for words. Belgian cycling is in deep mourning.

"My thoughts at this time go to his family, that must find courage."

Weylandt, who won stage three of the same race last year and also stage 17 of the 2008 Vuelta a Espana, became the fourth rider to lose his life in the history of the Giro and the first since 1986.

His body has been taken to a hospital in the city of Lavagna for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The podium celebration at the end of yesterday's stage was cancelled by organisers.

Messages of condolence poured in from other teams and cyclists.

Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said: "It's a terrible story and a dark day for the cycling family.

"I want to give all my condolences to the family of Wouter and all his friends and send a message of encouragement and support to the Leopard team and the whole cycling family.

"Regardless of the fact each of us is in our own team, we are all in the same place and this is a very difficult day for the world of cycling."

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish went on Twitter to express his sorrow.

He wrote: "Things like this shouldn't happen. Absolutely sick to the stomach. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Wouter Weylandt."

The Quick-Step team, with whom Weylandt rode until this year, paid an emotional tribute to their former rider.

Their statement read: "On behalf of the entire Quick-Step Cycling team our hearts go out to Wouter's family, friends and the colleagues of Team Leopard (Trek) in this sad, sad time.

"For all of us, Wouter was a friend before he was a colleague. We remember him as an honest man, always available with a smile on his face and forever generous towards the next guy.

"Wouter leaves us with a terrible sense of loss and unbearable grief. We want to remember him with arms held high, crazy with joy after a victory, like the one at Middelburg last year. This is the image of him that all of us will carry in our hearts forever."