GENOA, Italy (VN) – Tyler Farrar started Tuesday’s fourth stage in honor of his best friend, but will leave the Giro d’Italia following the tragic news of the death of Wouter Weylandt.
The Garmin-Cervélo sprinter did not speak to reporters before the start of the stage in Genoa, but teammate David Millar confirmed that Farrar would leave the race following Tuesday’s finish.
“Wouter was one of those people who you thought would never die,” Millar told journalists before the start of the stage. “His best friend is on our team. Tyler will leave the Giro tonight.”
Farrar was so shaken up by the tragic death of Weylandt that he decided it was better to not continue in the race.
Weylandt and Farrar were training partners and friends, often socializing with their respective girlfriends in Ghent, where Farrar makes his European residence.