Team Hato Green Tea Beer
- Italian cyclist Giovanni Iannelli, 22, who rode for the amateur team Hato Green Tea Beer, sustained a when he crashed into a concrete pillar during the Trofeo Bassa Valle Scrivia race in Molino dei Torti, Italy, on October 5.
- Iannelli died two days later at a hospital in Alessandria.
- His in his hometown of Prato, Italy, on Friday, October 11.
On October 7, Italian cyclist Giovanni Iannelli, 22, due to injuries he sustained in a crash at the road race in Molino dei Torti, Italy, two days prior. The accident occurred during the final sprint of the race, when Iannelli crashed into a concrete pillar at a high speed—hard enough to destroy his helmet, according to a statement by the Italian Cycling Federation.
Iannelli suffered a severe head injury and was airlifted to a hospital in Alessandria. He underwent surgery to remove a hematoma caused by the crash, but doctors were unable to bring him out of his coma afterward, according to the statement.
He died two days after the crash.
A talented amateur cyclist on team , Iannelli in Italy’s national championships junior road race last year.
“It is with deep sadness to hear that U23 Italian rider, Giovanni Iannelli has passed away following an incident during a national road race,” stated UCI president David Lappartient in a Tweet yesterday. “On behalf of the UCI, I extend my sincere sympathy to Giovanni’s family, friends, team and and all those at @federciclismo.”
According to the Italian Cycling Federation’s statement, Iannelli’s parents consented to organ donation, so in some way, their son could continue to live on.
Iannelli lived in Prato—where he was born—along with his family. His funeral will be held in Prato on Friday.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated since its original publication to correct the name of the race where the injury occurred.
