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19-year-old Italian pro cyclist dies after hitting speed bump at Giro d'Aosta

In a heartbreaking incident during the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta, 19-year-old Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera tragically lost his life after crashing into a speed bump on a downhill section of the race course

The accident occurred on Wednesday, approximately 32 kilometers from the finish line, sending shockwaves through the cycling community.

According to the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI), Privitera lost control of his bicycle after hitting a speed bump, resulting in a severe crash. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts at the scene, he was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Aosta, close to the French and Swiss borders. The exact circumstances surrounding this tragic accident remain under investigation.

Axel Merckx, general manager and owner of Privitera's team, Hagens Berman Jayco, expressed profound sorrow over the loss. "Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team," Merckx stated. "To lose him is devastating beyond words." He went on to describe Privitera as a passionate young rider who loved cycling, the camera, and most importantly, his family and teammates.

The cycling world has united in grief, with three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar expressing his condolences. "It's really sad to lose another young talent," Pogacar remarked, highlighting the inherent dangers of the sport. "It's one of the most dangerous in the world, and the risks we are taking sometimes go too far."

In light of this tragedy, the organizers of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta made the difficult decision to cancel the second stage of the race scheduled for Thursday. The race will resume on Friday with the third stage, which will begin with a moment of remembrance for Privitera. The initial section of the stage will be neutralized to honor the young cyclist, while all formal ceremonies for the remainder of the event have been canceled.

The Giro della Valle d'Aosta is a prestigious five-stage race for under-23 riders that commenced on Wednesday and is set to conclude on Sunday. Several teams, including Ineos Grenadiers, have publicly expressed their condolences, and riders participating in the Tour de France held a tribute before Thursday's stage.

FCI President Cordiano Dagnoni emphasized the need for increased safety measures in the sport, stating, "This tragedy leaves us shocked and forces us to think even more decisively about how to make our races safer." He revealed that the federation had already established a commission dedicated to developing safety proposals and updating regulations annually. "We must intensify our efforts in this direction: it is an obligation we owe first and foremost to our young people, to our clubs, and to our entire movement," Dagnoni added.

Privitera's management agency, Teamvision Cycling, remembered him as a vibrant young talent whose "exuberance will continue to illuminate every space." The cycling community mourns the loss of a promising athlete whose life was cut short far too soon.

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