[N.B.O.L.]

Just thought this deserved it's own topic.

VeloNews has a nice article.
Short Weylandt Biography

[Mark]

Another one here.

[N.B.O.L.]

Tyler Farrars comments:
From CyclingNews

[buddy]

No-one deserves to die competing in a sport but this tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks associated with racing a bicycle.

I myself broke my spine in two places in a racing crash last year and I consider myself to be lucky. Wouter unfortunately, not so much.

A sad day for cycling. A very sad day for Wouter's family.

A deeply respectful,

Buddy

[Burkni]

Somehow his death is harder than say, Kivilev's, for some reason.
Maybe it's the realization of the fact that he died while entertaining us.

[wildeone]

Burkni, on 10 May 2011 - 09:20 AM, said:

Somehow his death is harder than say, Kivilev's, for some reason.
Maybe it's the realization of the fact that he died while entertaining us.

i agree.

[Jayhawk]

It's hard because I feel we were just getting to know Wouter after he showed some sparkle last year. I still remember well his surprise win in the 2010 Giro, and he did well enough in other races that I began keeping an eye on his results, as I'm sure many other cycling fans did also. His move to Leopard Trek tells me other young riders thought he had fine potential, and that he must have been a likable sort that would fit in with a team of friendly guys. He was only 26 years old -- I have a 26 year old, so to my mind, he's still enough of a boy that his death tugs on this mom's heart.

[shag]

Burkni, on 10 May 2011 - 09:20 AM, said:

Somehow his death is harder than say, Kivilev's, for some reason.
Maybe it's the realization of the fact that he died while entertaining us.

I feel the same way. Yes, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that it played out in real-time right in front of us. But there are other reasons, too. With the media coverage of cycling and the riders we currently enjoy, these guys are in front of us all the time; we feel like we live with them to some extent. Further, and not to slight Kivilev or anyone else, I think the general consensus that Weylandt was an exceptionally kind, generous and good-natured guy makes it harder to take . . . not to mention that he was just about to become a father. Really, really sad all around. I was hoping that when I woke up this morning the heaviness would be gone but it is still here.

[VdB]

I was away for a while, but am catching up with some news and websites. One of the things I missed was Weylandt's funeral. I particularly liked Farrar's eulogy (in English) as well as Keisse's (Dutch).

http://www.sporza.be...alink/1.1026850

A more general video report on the funeral. Breaks my heart to see and hear it all, but I'm happy that it seems to have been a beautiful service.

http://www.sporza.be...alink/1.1026958

[VdB]

Apparently some vandals destroyed the recently built memento to Weylandt, De Fauw and Nolf in Ghent last night.

http://www.sporza.be...ylandt_vernield

Sad that anyone would do something so low. It'll be repaired on short notice, of course.

[wildeone]

that is beyond disgusting!

i can tell you, though, that there is a very weird vibe here... lots of disappointment that the Gentse Fest was, for all intents and purposes, rained out... lots of pent up energy... it's got me a little spooked

but to desecrate this???

[VdB]

Yeah. I rarely visit Ghent, living in the centre of the universe (Antwerp ), but I used to have a fling with a girl from Ghent so I know how dear their Feesten are to them. So yeah, maybe it's some leftover frustration...either way, hope they catch them.

[wildeone]

the frustration isn't just locals, it's evident with visitors of a certain age, coming here expecting to party hardy... there is seriously a bad energy going around here

if donations are asked to help repair the memorial, please holler.

i, too, hope they catch the vandals!

[VdB]

wildeone, on 29 July 2011 - 06:00 PM, said:

the frustration isn't just locals, it's evident with visitors of a certain age, coming here expecting to party hardy... there is seriously a bad energy going around here

if donations are asked to help repair the memorial, please holler.

i, too, hope they catch the vandals!

I think the city's taking care of the repairs. So you're already paying for them, in a way.

[N.B.O.L.]

Quote

@f_cancellara
Todays flower and the lion will have a special place at An-sophie and Alizee home #WW108

This post has been edited by N.B.O.L.: 02 July 2012 - 07:07 PM

[VdB]

[Jayhawk]

How thoughtful & good of him. FCancellara is a fine champion.

[shag]

Chapeau, Spartacus.

[Leafcake]

108 at 4:10
http://www.sporza.be...dag_4/1.1353283

[VdB]

It's amazing to see how the peloton keeps Wouter close to its heart.