Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera, 19, dies after crashing during race

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Cyclist Samuele Privitera died from injuries he sustained in a crash Wednesday during the first stage of the Tour of Valle D’Aosta in Italy, his team announced. He was 19.

Privitera reportedly hit a speed bump, lost control of his bike and hit his head as he struck a barrier.

He crashed on a descent of about 35 kilometers from the finish in Aosta at a speed of almost 70 kilometers per hour, according to Italian media.

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Samuele Privitera of Italy and Team Jayco AlUla competes during the 39th Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali 2025, Stage 4, 150.4 km stage from Brisighella to Brisighella al Cesena March 28, 2025, in Brisighella, Italy. (Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

He reportedly lost his helmet in the process.

Race organizers said the circumstances of the crash were "still unclear and are being investigated by public safety authorities."

Privitera was a member of the Hagens Berman Jayco team. The team’s director, Axel Merckx, released a statement on the teen’s death.

"Samuele was and always will be the life and personality of this team," Merckx said. "This team has always been a small family, and moments like this are unimaginable. 

"He was irreplaceable. His joy, his spirit, his kindness was always a bright light to whatever room or race that he was in at that moment. To lose him is devastating beyond words."

Team Jayco Alula mourns the death of Italian cyclist Samuele Privitera before the start of the twelfth stage of the Tour de France in Hautacam, France, Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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