Update: After 48 hours Roberto Silva has died as a result of his serious injuries sustained when he hit a car at high speed during the long descent of the Cipollaio climb.
Roberto Silva, a 53 year old Milanese gran fondo racer was involved in a terrifying downhill crash Sunday in Retignano, Italy while participating in the Versilia Gran Fondo.
Initial reports indicate Roberto Silva and another cyclist Alessio Lemma were descending the Cipollaio pass, when a Renault driven by a 21-year-old woman from the area drove up the climb towards riders. Lemma managed to avoid impact with the vehicle, while Silva collided with the car at high speed.
Silva lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest with emergency workers immediately requesting helicopter transport to the Cisanello hospital in Pisa where he remains in a coma.
The road, as reported by newspaper Il Tirreno, had been closed for 45 minutes for the passage of gran fondo riders by order of the local goverment. In addition, numerous signs had been placed in the last few days along the course to warn motorists.
GRAN FONDO CALENDAR FOR USA CANADA MEXICO
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 