Four gran fondo racers sprinting to win the third edition of Gran Fondo Alpi Liguri were seriously injured after an automobile drove onto the final straight and crashed into the riders just 50 metres before the finish line in Carcare, Italy on Sunday 12 September.

A small white Panda automobile driven by a 25-year-old, entered the road just as the first 4 riders in the amateur race were sprinting for the finish line at high speed after two and a half hours of competition.  The car hit the cyclists, immediately knocking them to the ground with Manuele Caddeo, Mattia Magnaldi, Alessio Gasperin and former professional Alberto Nardin all injured seriously. 

Magnaldi’s condition included a compound life threatening leg fracture and he was taken urgently by helicopter to Santa Corona di Pietra Ligure after a bystander used a belt as a tourniquet to save Magnaldi’s life.  Caddeo suffered chest trauma and was transported by ambulance to hospital in Santa Corona, while Gasperin was taken to hospital in Savona.  Alberto Nardin, former professional on team Androni Giocattoli, was treated at the scene and released. 

At press time all riders were listed in stable condition.

Participants and witnesses report that the automobile driver was likely not at fault since the organiser, G.S. Loa Bikers, with civil protection, the municipal administration and the police did not secure the finish for safe arrival.

175 riders participated in the race and official Gran Fondo Alpi Liguri results list Manuele Caddeo as the winner. 

PHOTOS: La Stampa

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