The tragedy occurred on Monday and was also published as an agency report in the daily media. It is now public knowledge that the fatally injured mountain biker was one of the well-known figures in Swiss mountain biking. Erwin Wildhaber was the technical backbone of Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel and was the driving force behind the conversion of the new racing bike to 27.5-inch wheels. He has also been the national team's mechanic for many years and took part in the Olympic Games in London. He was an integral part of the international racing scene and was universally popular thanks to his cheerful and sociable manner. With his personality and expertise, he will leave a big gap in the sport of biking.

Wildhaber slipped on the descent from Chöpfenberg in the canton of Glarus. "While descending a steep meadow slope, Erwin slipped and got so unfortunately caught on my pole that we rolled down the meadow together and got caught up in each other, taking Andi Seeli with us," explained Thomas Frischknecht later. They picked up so much speed in a short space of time that they got out of control. Seeli and Frischknecht came to a sliding halt on the meadow after more than 200 meters, while Wildhaber apparently lost consciousness and fell over a ledge without resistance. Andreas Seeli was also seriously injured and had to be taken by Rega to the cantonal hospital in Chur with several broken bones. Thomas Frischknecht broke his foot in the accident, but is back home again.Only two days after the tragic incident, Nino Schurter accepted the award for Cyclist of the Year. The ceremony was dedicated to his friend and long-time companion. "I dedicate all the prizes and results I've achieved this year to my former mechanic and friend Erwin. It's amazing what I was able to experience with him," Schurter told Sportinformation after the award ceremony.SF report on Erwin Wildhaber in the run-up to the Olympic Games in London:
http://www.videoportal.sf.tv/video?id=aa860210-437a-48cc-8783-e313db2995e4