Tour de France pauses for Privitera, who died after Italy crash

Tour de France pays respects to 19-year-old cyclist who died aft a clang successful Italy.

Tour de France riders applauded for a infinitesimal earlier the 12th signifier of their contention contiguous successful representation of Samuele Privitera, a 19-year-old Italian cyclist who died aft a clang portion racing successful Italy.

Privitera crashed successful the archetypal signifier of the Tour of Valle D’Aosta successful the northwestern municipality of Pontey connected Wednesday.

Race organisers said the circumstances of the mishap were “still unclear and are being investigated by nationalist information authorities”.

“It’s truly bittersweet to suffer different young endowment today, it’s devastating,” Tour de France favourite Tadej Pogacar, who crashed connected Wednesday, said earlier Thursday’s stage. “It is 1 of the astir unsafe sports successful the world, I think, and the hazard that we are taking sometimes is excessively far. But I’m truly really truly bittersweet for each his family. May helium remainder successful peace.”

Privitera was a subordinate of the Hagens Berman Jayco team, the improvement squad for Jayco AlUla, which is racing astatine the Tour de France and whose members, including Ben O’Connor, wore achromatic armbands.

“Samuele was and ever volition beryllium the beingness and property of this team,” Hagens Berman Jayco squad manager Axel Merckx said successful a statement. “This squad has ever been a tiny family, and moments similar this are unimaginable. He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness, was ever a agleam airy to immoderate country oregon contention that helium was successful astatine that moment. To suffer him is devastating beyond words.”

Italian media reports said Privitera crashed connected a descent astir 35km (22 miles) from the decorativeness successful Aosta astatine a velocity of astir 43mph (70km/h). He reportedly mislaid his helmet and crashed into a barrier.

The 2nd signifier of the Tour of Valle D’Aosta was cancelled, and participating teams were being fixed a prime whether to proceed with the 3rd signifier connected Friday.

Today we wage respect to young rider, Samuele Privitera who sadly passed distant yesterday. Rest In Peace Samuele.

Aujourd'hui, nous rendons hommage au jeune coureur Samuele Privitera qui est malheureusement décédé hier. Repose en paix Samuele.#TDF2025 pic.twitter.com/h6uJV1MqI7

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 17, 2025

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies