Lino Gastaldello, the man behind the relaunch of the historic Italian racing bike marque Wilier Triestina, was killed this morning after being hit head-on by a car while he was out on his customary Saturday morning cycle ride.
According to the Giornale di Vicenza, the incident happened at a crossroads in San Zenone degli Ezzelini near Treviso at around 10.3oam when Gastaldello was hit by a Ford vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Macedonian who lived nearby.
Witnesses were reported to have said that the impact was so violent that the 71-year-old victim, who remained chairman of the company and a keen cyclist despite his age, was thrown fully 30 metres. He died of his injuries in hospital two hours later. Members of the Carabinieri and the local police are investigating the causes of the accident.
Founded in 1906, Wilier is Italy’s second-oldest bicycle manufacturer and has a strong racing pedigree. It was rescued from bankruptcy by Gastaldello and his brother Antonio during the 1970s, who set about restoring its fortunes.
During the 1990s, while riding for Mercatone Uno, Marco Pantani used a Wilier to set record times for the ascent of both Alpe d’Huez and the Mortirolo, while Alessandro Ballan rode one to World Championship success in Varese the year before last.
Derek Farrant, owner and MD of ATB Sales, Wilier’s UK distributor told us “He was much loved and respected and his loss will be deeply felt by all around him. His passion for his company and especially for their racing activities was immediately obvious the first time we met him. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Lino’s family and to all our friends at Wilier.”
No, I’m using the only accepted definition of the word. The “modern usage” you’re referring to is it’s use by right-wing commentators to rubbish...
I think you're conflating top-end bike prices with reduced participation, whether that's riding bikes for leisure or competition (for which there...
Anyone else noticing the joy expressed on those smiling faces of the morning windscreen scrapers?
I know that road well. Absolutely amazing that it should be shut to all motorised traffic. Lorries yes but local house holders, nope. This just...
Go on the jacket that does everything page. You'd think he'd be happy in the perfect jacket, but no....
In early December 2022 there was also a lengthy cold spell. Then, the roads soon pulled moisture out of the air and paths and roads became icy and...
The thing about these multiple personality disorder people is that they're unable to keep in character or maintain the distinction between the...
the numbers by themselves arent good enough to draw any conclusion about safety on UK roads....
I'd much rather get a Mason Definition at that price (£400 more for 105 di2, £200 less for 105 mechanical) if I was after an aluminium frame
mean spirited? I bet if someone was to put nail boards on roads that courier vans were using the police would launch a full scale investigation and...