Wendy WilliamsTOP Spanish cyclist Xavier Tondo has died in a freak accident after he was crushed between his car and a garage door at his home in the Sierra Nevada ski resort.
The 32-year-old – who was in training for this year Tour de France – was killed yesterday morning while trying to take his car out of the garage in the Pradollano residential complex.
It’s understood that the cyclist got out of the car to try to get the garage door to open but his car rolled forward and pinned him against the door.
His Movistar team mate, Beñat Intxausti, was in the passenger seat at the time.
Tondo, who was born in Tarragona, had won 14 races during his career as a professional cyclist, including the Vuelta a Castilla y León earlier this year.
His fellow countryman, Tour de France winner and current Giro d’Italia leader Alberto Contador led the tributes via Twitter.
“Life is so unjust and difficult to understand at certain moments, it’s impossible to describe my feelings on the death of Xavi Tondo,” Contador wrote.
“My most sincere condolences to his family. He was an incredible person who loved this sport like nobody else. You will be missed. Rest in peace.”
I’m so sad for the cycling world. My heart goes out to you guys. :-( I hope those two souls are together.
Love you guys.. :-)
His teammate was in the passenger seat and could not do anything like reach for the handbrake?
Guy will have nightmares over that.