Latest news with #AxelMerckx
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cyclist Dead At 19 After Tragic Mid-Race Crash
Cyclist Dead At 19 After Tragic Mid-Race Crash originally appeared on The Spun. Tragedy struck this week during the Tour of Valle D'Aosta. During the first stage of Wednesday's race, 19-year-old Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera was involved in a crash. He reportedly lost control of his bike after hitting a speed bump and struck his head on a barrier. Unfortunately, it was confirmed this week that Privitera passed away from the injuries sustained in this accident. Privitera, a member of the Hagens Berman Jayco team, reportedly crashed on a descent of about 35 kilometers. He lost his helmet when the accident occurred. "Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team," Hagens Berman Jayco team director Axel Merckx said. "This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness, was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment. To lose him is devastating beyond words." Tour de France riders honored Privitera's memory on Thursday, applauding for him during the 12th stage. "It's really sad to lose another young talent today. It's devastating," Tour de France rider Tadej Pogacar said. "It is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, I think, and the risk that we are taking sometimes is too far. But I'm really really really sad for all his family. May he rest in peace." Our thoughts are with Privitera's friends and family Dead At 19 After Tragic Mid-Race Crash first appeared on The Spun on Jul 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera, 19, dies after crashing during race
Cyclist Samuele Privitera died from injuries he sustained in a crash Wednesday during the first stage of the Tour of Valle D'Aosta in Italy, his team announced. He was 19. Privitera reportedly hit a speed bump, lost control of his bike and hit his head as he struck a barrier. He crashed on a descent of about 35 kilometers from the finish in Aosta at a speed of almost 70 kilometers per hour, according to Italian media. He reportedly lost his helmet in the process. Race organizers said the circumstances of the crash were "still unclear and are being investigated by public safety authorities." Privitera was a member of the Hagens Berman Jayco team. The team's director, Axel Merckx, released a statement on the teen's death. "Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team," Merckx said. "This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. "He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment. To lose him is devastating beyond words." Tour de France riders took a moment to applaud for a minute during the 12th stage of the race Thursday in honor of Privitera. "It's really sad to lose another young talent today. It's devastating," Tour de France favorite Tadej Pogačar said before Thursday's stage. "It is one of the most dangerous sports in the world, I think, and the risk that we are taking sometimes is too far. But I'm really really really sad for all his family. May he rest in peace." The Tour of Valle D'Aosta was put on hold Thursday and will resume Friday. "This news leaves us shocked and forces us to think even more decisively about how to make our races safer," Italian Cycling Federation President Cordiano Dagnoni said in a statement. "The federation established a commission some time ago to develop proposals on this matter, and we constantly update the regulations every year to ensure such incidents never happen again. "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." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CNA
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNA
Italian rider Privitera, 19, dies after crash in Giro della Valle d'Aosta
Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera, 19, died following a crash during the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta, his team Hagens Berman Jayco confirmed late on Wednesday. Privitera crashed during a descent, losing his helmet and colliding with a gate, Italian media reported. He was transported to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. "Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team. This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable," Axel Merckx, owner of Hagens Berman Jayco, said in a statement. The second stage of the race, which takes place in northern Italy's Aosta Valley near the French border, has been cancelled. "The stage goes to him and his family. It's the first thing I read in the morning," Tour de France overall leader Tadej Pogacar said after winning the race's 12th stage on Thursday. "I was thinking of him in the last kilometre."
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cyclist Samuele Privitera, 19, dies after crash during Giro della Valle d'Aosta
Samuele Privitera, a 19-year-old junior cyclist, died on Wednesday following a crash during the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta. According to the Italian Cycling Federation, Privitera "apparently hit a speed bump and lost control of his bike" while going nearly 45 mph on his bike and collided with a gate. An investigation is ongoing. Privitera was attended to by medical personnel, resuscitated, and later taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. "We are saddened by what happened, but we believe we did everything possible to ensure the safety of the athletes," race director Filippo Borrione told Gazzetta della Sport. Privitera was part of the Hagens Berman Jayco team, a development team for Jayco-AlUla, a team currently taking part in the Tour de France. "Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team," Axel Merckx, owner and general manager of the Hagens Berman Jayco Cycling Team, said in a statement. "This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness, was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment. To lose him is devastating beyond words. Personally, I am struggling to express the sadness I feel but I am deeply grateful for every moment we shared with him and for the joy he brought to our team every single day. He loved the bike, he loved the camera, he loved to smile, he loved to laugh, but most of all he loved his family and his teammates." Tour de France riders paid tribute to Privitera ahead of Thursday's 12th stage. Thursday's second stage of the Giro della Valle d'Aosta was canceled. The race will resume on Friday beginning with a moment of silence and the rides competing in the third stage.
CNN
17-07-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Cycling world mourns the death of 19-year-old Samuele Privitera after crash during a race
Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera has died aged 19 following a crash at the Giro della Valle d'Aosta, his team announced. Privitera was competing in the first stage of the under-23 race in Pontey in the northwest of Italy when the crash took place. 'Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team,' Axel Merckx, owner and general manager of Hagens Berman Jayco, said in a statement on the team's Instagram page. 'This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. 'He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness, was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment. To lose him is devastating beyond words.' According to CNN affiliate SkyTG24, Privitera fell on a descent, causing him to lose his helmet and hit his head on a gate. In a statement, race organizers said that Privitera was promptly assisted by medical services and taken to hospital in Aosta. 'The circumstances of the accident are still unclear and are being investigated by public safety authorities,' organizers said. CNN Sports has contacted Aosta police for comment. The organizers' statement added that Thursday's stage of the race has been canceled due to Privitera's death, with the event resuming on Friday following a moment's silence in honor of the young cyclist. 'All formal ceremonies are canceled until the end of the event,' organizers said. 'The organizing committee is leaving the teams free to decide whether to continue the race starting with the third stage.' Among those to pay tribute to Privitera on social media were three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar and eight-time Olympic medalist Bradley Wiggins. Several teams also expressed their condolences, with Ineos Grenadiers writing on Instagram: 'All our thoughts are with Samuele's family, friends and teammates at this incredibly difficult time.' The Giro della Valle d'Aosta, a five-stage race for under-23 riders, began on Wednesday and is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
