Davide Rebellin killed by truck driver while training
Italian cyclist Davide Rebellin has been killed after being run over by a truck driver, according to Italian media. The collision occurred around noon on Wednesday, with the driver failing to stop after the truck “struck and overwhelmed Rebellin” as it exited a junction.
Il Giornale di Vicenza writes that it was unclear whether the driver was aware of the incident, and that police are working to track down the driver.
Rebellin, 51, retired in October after a 30 year professional career. Having signed his first pro contract in 1992 – before much of today’s peloton was born – Rebellin notched up an impressive series of wins. Among his achievements were classics wins at Flèche Wallone, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Amstel Gold. He also won Tirreno-Adriatico (2001) and Paris-Nice (2008), along with a stage of the Giro d’Italia. Throughout his career, Rebellin claimed 61 victories.
His racing career was not without controversy, however. Rebellin’s silver medal from the Beijing Olympics road race was stripped after a positive test for CERA, leading to a two year ban.
After returning from his suspension, Rebellin rode for several lower-tier teams, and completed his career in 2022 with the Italian continental squad Work Service Vitalcare Vega. His last races included the inaugural UCI Gravel Worlds, before he closed his career on home roads at the Veneto Classic. “Thus ends a beautiful adventure, full of strong emotions and wonderful memories that I will carry forever with joy in my heart,” Rebellin posted later on Instagram. “Thanks to all of you and to all those who accompanied me from the first pedal stroke.”
Post-retirement, Rebellin had outlined plans to continue his association with the sport. He was to work on a development project with bike brand Dynatek, and compete in gravel races. “Cycling will continue to be part of my life and my daily life,” he had said via the Workservice Vitalcare Vega Facebook page. “There will be races. I still love pedaling and I want to keep doing it, but in a different way”.
CyclingTips extends its condolences to his family and friends.
Will never forget this pic of Rebellin. He’d been most hyped young rider in the world in the 90s, won Classics, then seen his choir-boy image shredded…but here he was in Sept 2017, at the Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (I had to look it up), 46yo & still living the dream – his dream. pic.twitter.com/ei3baBkI3f
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) November 30, 2022
Just returned home from a ride to hear of the passing of Davide Rebellin. So terribly sad.
— Matt Stephens (@RealStephens) November 30, 2022
Fond memories of first racing against him way back in the baby Giro 1991.
One thing is for sure, cycling defined his life. He lived it.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
One cannot race as long as he did without a special sort of love for it. https://t.co/7IrVRCIVBM
— Caley Fretz (@CaleyFretz) November 30, 2022
Read MoreTerrible news coming out of Italy about Davide Rebellin.
— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) November 30, 2022
He was in the pink jersey in my first Giro way back in 1996. #RIP
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