Wouter Weylandt killed in crash during Giro d’Italia

The Blegian rider from the Leopard-Trek team took a horrible fall on a downhill stretch of the Pasco de Bocco towards the end of the stage into Rapallo.

Doctors were quickly on the scene to give Weylandy CPR.

Reports suggest that Weylandt’s pedals caught a wall and was thrown down to the ground at a high speed.

Doctors were seen cutting Weylandt's helmet before he was administered adrenaline and atropine and cardiac massage was carried out for a considerable period. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Weylandt was pronounced dead.

"Despite immediate treatment there was nothing we could do," doctor Giovanni Tredici told Italian television.

"Today, our team-mate and friend Wouter Weylandt passed away after a crash on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia," said Leopard-Trek Manager Brian Nygaard. "The team is left in a state of shock and sadness and we send all our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wouter.

"This is a difficult day for cycling and for our team, and we should all seek support and strength in the people close to us."