THE LEOPARD-TREK team will continue in the Giro d’Italia despite the death of its rider, Wouter Weylandt, during the third stage yesterday.

The 26-year-old Belgian crashed during a descent after clipping a wall during the third stage of the race and died at the scene despite medical staff trying to revive him for 40 minutes.

“We will start out of respect for the family of Weylandt and also to share our grief with the world of cycling,” Leopard-Trek general manager Brian Nygaard said Tuesday.

“The boys were totally defeated. If there is anyone who does not want to continue, we accept that.”

Today’s fourth stage — 133.9 miles from Genova Quarto dei Mille to Livorno — will be preceded by a minute’s silence. During the race all the riders will ride together at a steady pace, with the Leopard-Trek team at the front.

Organizers yesterday there would be no music or festivities on the route and that the presentation ceremony would again not take place.

Weylandt’s father went to a hospital in Lavagna to identify the body this morning. He had arrived at Milan’s Malpensa airport last night along with the rider’s pregnant girlfriend, Anne Sophie. After leaving the hospital he was taken to the scene of the accident.

Weylandt’s was the first fatality at the Italian race in 25 years.

- AP