It was just a year back when the whispers of a tragic accident on the third stage of the Giro d’Italia were doing the rounds on the peloton and when the news and the confirmation of the event actually reached Tyler Farrar, he almost collapsed in anguish and shock. He can still recall the death of one his closest friends, Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt on the tracks of the Giro d’Italia last year as clear as day and speaking of the death, he said that whatever happened on that day was nothing short of horrific.

Weylandt was killed when his cycle crashed as he was on a tough technical descent, making the well-liked Belgian only the fourth rider in the history of the race to die, and the first one to suffer the fate in almost two decades of cycling. The American developed a deep friendship with Weylandt during his numerous training rides with the Belgian in his home country, which was a home away from home for Tyler Farrar. Farrar was so struck by grief at the death of his mate that he pulled out from the race after riding the ceremonial fourth stage and crossing the line with the team mates of Weylandt.

Speaking about that phase of his life and how he has overcome it, Farrar stated that is an extremely hard time for him and it was such an event that doesn’t go away easily and he still hasn’t come to terms fully with what happened at the Giro last year. But he also said that it is a part of life and cycling is his life, his profession and racing his love and he will start the Giro d’Italia with the memory of Weylandt and Tyler Farrar hopes that he can pay his tribute by winning the Giro d’Italia.