Team Sky have spent their first year in existence on the steepest possible of learning curves, and the overnight news of the death of one of the team staff will have been the harshest ramp yet.

TXEMA GONZÁLEZ died of a blood virus contracted only 5 days ago. You can read more here.

Dave Brailsford has taken the correct decision of withdrawing the whole team from the Vuelta with immediate effect.

We all love our cycling, and all love our discussions and giving our opinions… it’s why sites like this one exist.

But sometimes things happen that transcend the sport and bring us down to a human level. It is with that in mind that I say my thoughts are with Gonzalez’s family friends and colleagues.

The racing will go on, it has to. But that doesn’t mean there is no time for reflection and thought as it do so.

RIP