Weylandt died instantly: autopsy

Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died instantly after an horrific crash in the Giro d'Italia, according to the pathologist who carried out the autopsy, the Ansa news agency reported.

Weylandt "died instantly" and "did not suffer," Dr. Armando Mannucci said after carrying out the two-and-a-half hour autopsy.

The rider suffered fatal skull and facial injuries as well as damage to his pelvis and a broken leg, the doctor added. A toxicology report is underway.

The 26-year-old crashed on the twisting descent of the Bocco mountain pass around 25km from the finish line on Monday's third stage, which ended in Rapallo. While travelling at speed his left pedal briefly touched a wall at the side of the road, propelling the Leopard-Trek rider 20m to the ground below where he landed heavily on his face.

Weylandt's parents and partner Anne-Sophie, who is due to give birth to their first child in September, laid flowers at the scene of his death overnight.

A tribute was paid to Weylandt during the fourth stage. The 216km medium mountain stage from Genoa to Livorno was preceded by a minute's silence, with the race being transformed into a procession.

The riders relayed each other at the head of the peloton in order to keep up a sustained rhythm with Weylandt's Leopard Trek teammates invited to cross the finish line in the lead.

Leopard Trek general manager Brian Nygaard added: "We will start Tuesday out of respect for the family Weylandt and also to share our grief with the world of cycling.

"The boys were totally devastated. If there is anyone who did not want to continue, we accept that."

This same tribute was made during the 1995 Tour de France in memory of Italian rider Fabio Casartelli who was killed in the descent from Portet d'Aspet.

Riders expressed their sorrow on the micro-blogging website Twitter.

"There are no words to describe our feeling, we lost a good friend and a great teammate. All our condolences goes to his family and friends," teammate Andy Schleck said.

"We all shocked, a day of sad tears in sharing the terrible loss of Wouter. Rest in Peace my Friend our Friend."

Weylandt was in his fifth year as a professional cyclist. His biggest wins were stage victories in the 2010 Giro d'Italia and the 2008 Tour of Spain.