Cass, Bill

http://www.ridezine.com/reinhart_tragedy.htm



(boston cycling magazine)





Reinhart Dies After Accident in BMC Software Finals
Men's Race Cancelled After Tragedy

ARLINGTON, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2000) - Within a mile of perhaps the greatest

finish of her career, Nicole Reinhart crashed heavily and suffered multiple

trauma. The 24-year-old Saturn star was later pronounced
dead at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass.

A resident of Mertztown, Pa., Reinhart had won the first three BMC Software

races and stood to win a $250,000 bonus offered for any racer that could win

all four events.

Reinhart had become tangled in a crash early in the race, but fought back

into contention with the help of her Saturn teammates. Racing on a brutally

difficult 3.5-mile course with a 1.3-mile climb, Reinhart -
admittedly not a climber - topped the final climb in fourth position and set

up for perhaps the greatest result of her career. After handling a swift

downhill left corner, Reinhart reportedly set up on Highland Avenue
for the right-hand turn on to Gray Street. On this relatively straight and

safe portion of the course, a rider went down in front of Reinhart. The

crash sent Reinhart into a tree alongside the course. Despite immediate
response by race and medical staff, Reinhart did not respond to efforts to

revive her.

Tina Mayolo (Autotrader.com) won the race.

The men's field lined up to start, but officials opted to cancel that event.

She was pronounced dead at 1:27 p.m.

BMC Software will be taking the $250,000 bonus money from the BMC Grand Prix

and will work with USA Cycling and the Reinhart family to create a

foundation in memory of Nicole.