Italian junior bike owner Samuele Privitera has died aged 19 after a fall in the course of the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d’Aosta in north west Italy.
The Italian Biking Federation (FCI) stated circumstances across the incident have been “nonetheless unclear” however Privitera “apparently hit a pace bump and misplaced management of his bike” and hit his head on a downhill stretch of highway 32km from the end line.
Privitera was resuscitated and brought to the hospital in Aosta, close to the French and Swiss border, the place he later died.
Axel Merckx, normal supervisor and proprietor of Privitera’s crew Hagens Berman Jayco, stated the rider “at all times would be the life and persona of this crew”.
Merckx added: “Moments like this are unimaginable.
“To lose him is devastating past phrases. Personally, I’m struggling to precise the disappointment I really feel however I’m deeply grateful for each second we shared with him and for the enjoyment he delivered to our crew each single day.
“He cherished the bike, he cherished the digicam, he cherished to smile, he cherished to chuckle, however most of all he cherished his household and his team-mates.”
The Giro della Valle d’Aosta is a males’s under-23 held within the Aosta Valley.
Thursday’s second stage in Passy was cancelled and the race will resume on Friday with the third stage preceded by a second of remembrance. The preliminary part of the stage can be neutralised in reminiscence of Privitera.
FCI president Cordiano Dagnoni added: “This information leaves us shocked and forces us to suppose much more decisively about methods to make our races safer.”
