Monday, May 23, 2011

Xavier Tondo, 1978-2011

Barely weeks after the passing of Wouter Weylandt, the cycling world has lost another fine rider and human being in a tragic accident: Xavier Tondo of Team Movistar. Tondo was reportedly killed in an accident involving his garage door while about to leave for a training ride for the upcoming Tour de France with his good friend Benat Intxausti.

Tondo won the prestigious Vuelta a Castilla y Leon this year, as well as a stage in the Tour de San Luis. One of the greatest wins in his career was a stage in the 2010 Paris-Nice while riding with Cervelo. By all accounts, he was truly in love with the sport, and was a dedicated mountain biker as well as a road racer.

Team Movistar will continue riding the Giro d'Italia, which will hold a moment of silence in his memory, in his honor. The team's tribute to Tondo is here.

Here is Tondo's victory, and post-race interview, at Paris-Nice last year:


Deepest condolences to his family, friends, and team.

1 comment:

Rosemary said...
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