A teenage cycling star in Italy has tragically died after being struck by a car while on a training ride over the weekend, it has been announced.
Francesco Mazzoleni, 18, was out practicing near the town of Barzana in northern Italy on Sunday afternoon when he was hit by the vehicle, according to CyclingUpToDate.com.
Mazzoleni was a rider for Turin-based team Goodshop Yoyogurt, which has been left devastated by the news of his passing.
‘It’s a very sad Sunday for us,’ Gooddshop Yoyogurt said in a statement on Instagram.
‘Our Francesco Mazzoleni leaves us too soon. He was hit while training on his home roads, while doing what he loved most.
‘We all gather in a painful silence around Francesco’s family’.
Italian cycling star Francesco Mazzoleni, 18, has died after being hit by a car while practicing
The statement added: ‘We will always carry with us your smile and the determination that drove you to pursue your dream. You are and will always be one of our Orange riders.’
Tributes quickly poured in for Mazzoleni on the platform, including from one user who wrote in the comments: ‘goodbye franci thanks for the years together and the thousands of trainings’.
Another posted: ‘We love you so much and we will remember you forever’.
‘You will always be a small but great champion: Rest in Peace,’ said a third.
While one put: ‘[I] had the good fortune and pleasure of coaching him for 2 years as a apprentice… a special boy.. goodbye Francesco…’