Following the tragic death of Wouter Weylandts this week, the organisers of the Giro d’Italia have confirmed that they have decided to remove the race number he wore from all future editions of the race.
Dossard 108 will henceforth not be used in the Giro, making it a symbolic gesture to mark his passing at 26 years of age.
The gesture may also be a nod to the superstitions in the peloton. For many years, the number 51 was considered very lucky as a disproportionate amount of Tour winners started the race with that on their backs.
Weylandt was in his first season with the Leopard Trek team and was hoping to have a successful Giro. He won the third stage last year, showing his sprinting abilities by triumphing into Middelburg.
His team-mates withdrew from the race after the fourth stage, which was run at a neutralised pace.