Balance. It can be achieved by never deviating from the middle, or it can be achieved by violent swings to and fro. It is said, however, that the great peaks can’t be reached without crossing through deep valleys. Tragically, we were reminded today that our sport is one of great peaks and deep, deep valleys.
Cycling is a sport of risk and danger; the beauty and harmony of a speeding peloton masks the risks and dangers involved. Mountain descents see riders reach speeds of 80 or more kilometers per hour with little to protect them should something go wrong. Stars and watercarriers alike share in the risk; no one is immune.
You have to love this sport intensely to become a professional. The nature of road competition demands great sacrifice in every aspect of the athlete’s life; eat like birds, work like horses, and live like monks. Not only does a professional cyclist spend every waking moment focussed on their sport, but from January to October, they are away from their families as the race calendar carries them all over Europe and, increasingly, the world. This sacrifice is most often in the service of others, as the Stars are few and the Watercarriers many.
While only a few weeks ago we watched as one of these domestiques reached the pinacle of our sport by winning Paris-Roubaix, today we witnessed the tragic swing to the other end as Wouter Weylandt lost his life in the pursuit of his passion. We can be philosophical and say this man lived for his sport and died doing what he loved, but the fact of the matter is that his is a man who, at 26 years old, was in the prime of his life and that he died today is tragic beyond articulation.
As Velominati, we are disciples of cycling. Our lives revolve around cycling. At moments like these, it is unimaginable that life and sport will continue. It will, and we will again reach the peaks. But we breathe still, and our devotion cannot follow where others’ continue.
Today we walk through a valley and mourn as Velominati the tragic loss of a man who gave everything – everything – to his sport. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Well said Frank. This is a sad day for all Velominati and the whole cycling world.
RIP Wouter, Peace, Blessings and Prayers to your Family.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
i have to agree with you that it has shaken me to the point that i didn't go out for the evening ride, it shakes us to the bone that this can happen to the pro's and disturbs our own sense of invulnerability when out knowing that anything can happen but ignoring it
It is tremendously sad and frankly sickening to the stomach
Thoughts and prayers are with his spirit and his family
vale, vale, vale Wouter Weylandt.
Great post. My condolences to his family and cycling community. R.I.P.
Very nice tribute. Ride in his memory.
eightzero:
A-Merckx to that!
Seen in isolation by non-cyclists, this tragedy may confirm the popular impression of cycling being undertaken by careless risk-takers. Truly the deepest insult.
Sadly, he also leaves a young partner and unborn baby.
Good post by Matt Seaton in the Guardian putting the safety issue in perspective: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/may/09/wouter-weylandt-giro-ditalia
Woke up to read of this tragic death this morning. Such a great talent lost at such an early age. RIP Wouter...you will be much missed.
I think as sad as this event is, it is wise to remember that most people take more risk getting into their car every day and driving to work. This is the first death in a major race in many years. It seems like every few years here in my city a local high school kid dies while out playing football or track, due to injuries or undiagnosed health problems. I don't see any reason for people to be scared of, or give up, sports for any of these reasons.