July 16, 2025 became a dark chapter in the history of cycling. Only nineteen-year-old Samuele Privitera crashed in the opening stage of the Giro della Valle d’Aosta, an U23-race in Italy, and passed away later that day. A memorial ride was organized for him, attended by Tadej Pogacar.

Privitera was known as a talented rider, riding for Jayco AlUla’s development squad. In the opening stage of the Italian race, the young Italian crashed, losing his helmet and then crashing into a guardrail. Despite the prompt action of the emergency services, Privitera died of his injuries in hospital later that day.

“Samuele was and will always be the life and personality of this team,” said team manager Axel Merckx. “This team was always like a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. He could not be replaced. His joy, his spirit and his kindness was always a warm light in whatever room or course he was in.”

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Pogacar pays his respects

A few months later, on Saturday January 3rd, a memorial ride was organized for Privitera. In the Italian region of Liguria, where he was born, many riders gathered to pay their respects to him. That gathering was set up by Asbjørn Hellemose, friend and teammate at Hagens Berman Jayco.

“I am writing this post because, together with other friends of mine and him, I am organizing a ride in memory of Privi,” the Dane previously revealed on Instagram. “It will take place on January 3 in his Liguria, where we shared many hours together on and off the bike. I hope as many people as possible want to remember him. I miss you my little brother.”

So on Saturday, images of the ride appeared on Instagram, with world champion Pogacar in attendance. The Slovenian showed himself to be an exemplary sportsman and cycled along with the crowd. Underneath, we see him in a picture, next to Hellemose.

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