Google News Tragedy in Italy: Mountain Bike champion dies on his bike of a heart attack
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Dario Acquaroli, former Mountain Bike champion, died on Easter day while he was engaged in a bicycle session, probably due to illness, more likely a heart attack. As reported by Sky Sport Italy, the tragedy would have happened in Camerata Cornello, in the province of Bergamo, in Lombradia.
Around 13:00 local time, the former mountain bike champion originally from San Giovanni Bianco and residing in San Pellegrino Terme, also in the Bergamo area, died in an inaccessible area while riding his bicycle. Dario Acquaroli was born on 10 March 1975 in San Giovanni Bianco and was one of the strongest Italian mountain bike specialists ever: he raced 19 world championships with the Italian national team between cross country and marathon, winning two European titles (1992, 1993) and two world titles (1993, 1996) as well as five Italian titles (1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2005).
During his career he defended the colors of Team Bianchi, Full-Dynamix and Sintesi Larm. Acquaroli was expected by his sister for lunch: the death may have been caused by an illness. The helicopter that took off from Como and Alpine Rescue personnel were sent to the site from 118.
Some cyclists called for help who found Acquaroli on the ground, next to his bicycle, along a mule track that leads from Cespedosio to the village. Help is in vain. The Italian cycling federation wrote: "A ride on Easter day, an illness...
that's how Dario Acquaroli, 48, passed away today, a symbol of MTB in Italy for a decade, twice world champion in this specialty , in 1993 as a junior and in 1996 as a U23.A career full of successes and satisfactions: first contract as a professional at the age of 16 with the Bianchi team; he raced 19 world championships with the Italian national team between cross-country and marathon, winning 2 European titles (1992, 1993) and 2 world titles.Italian champion five times (1992, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2005) racing with different teams: Team Bianchi, Full-Dynamix and Sintesi Larm.Collar of Gold for Merit Sportsman from CONI, he retired from high-level activity in 2008.
Afterwards he remained in the world of sport with positions in Vittoria and, in recent years, as Marketing Manager in Merida. He was born on 10 March 1975 in San Giovanni Bianco, in the province of Bergamo. Tuttobiciweb reports that the tragedy took place this morning in the Bergamo mountains: Dario was pedaling alone, as he often did, and was expected at his sister's house to celebrate with his family.
The news is still fragmentary, but it seems that they found him on the ground in a fairly easy stretch, to the point that one thinks more of an illness than a fall. The president of the Off-road Commission Massimo Ghirotto remembers him with emotion, who had him as a rider in Bianchi, as well as the many who knew and followed him in those years, appreciating him for his sporting and human abilities.
President Cordiano Dagnoni, on behalf of the entire Federal Council, the Federation and the world of cycling, expresses his deepest condolences to his family for the tragic loss."
