Nineteen-year-old Italian cyclist Privitera has passed away following a fall.

Samuele Privitera, a young cyclist from Italy, tragically passed away at the age of 19 after a fall during the Tour of the Aoste Valley-Mont Blanc this week, the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) reported on Thursday.

Privitera, who rode for the Hagens Berman Jayco team, suffered his fatal incident on Wednesday during the race’s opening stage, close to the borders of France and Switzerland in north-western Italy.

“The details surrounding the accident that occurred on a downhill road in Pontey—32 kilometers from reaching the finish line in Aosta—remain uncertain,” stated the FCI.

“Reports indicate that Privitera went over a speed bump and lost control of his bicycle,” the FCI added.

Following Privitera's death, the second stage of the race, scheduled for Thursday, was cancelled. This was his second season with the American team.

“He was quickly attended to by medical personnel after the crash and transported to Parini Hospital in Aosta, where, unfortunately, he passed away,” said the race organizers, Societa Ciclistica Valdostana, in the FCI statement.

The race will now continue with the third stage, which has been rescheduled for Friday, starting from Pre Saint Didier and ending at Col du Gran San Bernardo.

“Before the stage begins, there will be a moment of tribute, and the first part of the stage will be neutralized in honor of Samuele,” the organizers noted.

In July last year, 25-year-old Norwegian cyclist Andre Drege died during the Tour of Austria, and in 2023, Swiss cyclist Gino Mader died at the age of 26 during the Tour of Switzerland.