Cyclist hit by truck and killed just days after retirement from 30-year career
Cyclist Davide Rebellin has tragically died after being hit by a truck just days after retiring from a 30-year career in the sport.
The 51-year-old had been out on his bike in Montebello Vicentino, Italy, when a heavy vehicle hit him and killed him instantly, with police now looking for the driver according to reports in Italy.
Rebellin turned professional in 1992 despite suffering from asthma having won silver at the World Championships as an amateur the previous year.
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Rebellin announced in 2020 that 2021 would be his final year of competing as he entered his fifth decade, but remained with the Work Service–Marchiol–Dynatek team into the 2022 season.
He told Marca earlier this year: "In 2022 I want to put a good end to my professional career. It will be my final year.
"I didn't want to finish in 2021 with a broken tibia and fibula; I want to finish by competing, with a good programme, giving my all and getting good results."
He raced for 30 seasons for 13 different professional teams in total, winning a stage at the Giro d'Italia in 1996 as well as Amstel Gold Race and Giro dell'Emilia among others.
Rebellin memorably won the silver in the Men's road race at the Beijing Olympics back in 2008, but was later disqualified with the medal revoked after he tested positive for a banned substance.
He was then taken to court by the Italian National Olympic Committee – with it later ruled that he had no criminal case to answer.
The Italian then returned to the track in 2011 after a two-year ban, spending four years with CCC–Polsat–Polkowice as he continued to impress while admitting that he hoped to extend his career due to the time lost from his ban.
Just last week Rebellin raced Beking Monaco criterium, with spectators sharing details of his kind interaction with them after his untimely passing.
A fan wrote on Twitter: "Very sad. He was really nice to us on Sunday after we watched the race, he took the time to talk and sign an autograph."
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