Former professional cyclist Davide Rebellin has died after being hit by the driver of a truck while out training near Vincenza, local media has reported.
Rebellin, who raced in a Monoco crit this past week and had only recently retired at the Veneto Classic in October, was killed instantly at the age of 51.
Italian paper Il Messaggero reports the truck driver has not yet been located by the Carabinieri.
Rebellin turned professional in 1992 with GB-MG Maglifico. It was while riding for Team Polti that he won his first Grand Tour stage at the 1996 Giro d’Italia, wearing the maglia rosa for six stages and placing 6th overall in the general classification.
Dominating the 2004 season as one of the best one-day Classics riders, Rebellin won the Amstel Gold Race, La Fl?che Wallonne and Li?ge-Bastogne-Li?ge.
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However following a positive test for CERA at the 2008 Olympic Games, his silver medal in the men’s road race was revoked by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and he served a two-year suspension from 2009 to 2011, dropping down to the Pro-Continental level upon his return.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace Davide.
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