2013 UCI Gran Fondo World Champion Silvano Janes, 69, of Trentino, Italy died after a suspected heart attack during the 2024 UEC European Gravel Championships in Asiago, Italy on Sunday morning.

“We are deeply saddened to share that Silvano Janes (ITA, Master 65-69) suddenly passed away during the UEC Gravel European Championships in Asiago (Ita). UEC and the organizing committee extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

UEC statement on X-Twitter

Various Italian news sources report that 3 kilometers into the Men’s 65-69 year-old category race, Janes fell from his bike and crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Four emergency doctors trailing the peloton jumped into action promptly to try and resuscitate him. Although they tried diligently for 35 minutes, they were unsuccessful.

Janes was a very successful amateur racer, winning 10 UCI World Championships ( 2 road and 8 MTB), 5 European titles and over 40 Italian National Championships.

After his tragic death, organizers canceled the rest of the amateur races, with no UEC amateur age group gravel championship titles awarded. The professional riders, who had started earlier, were allowed to finish.

In the Women’s race: former Olympic medalist Sina Frei, 27, of Switzerland won solo, followed by Silvia Persico and Alice Maria Arzuffi, both from Italy. In the Men’s race, MTB pro Martin Stosek, 30, of Czechoslovakia took the win, also crossing the finish line solo. Britain’s Toby Perry and the Belgian Jenno Berckmoes earned the final podium places in that order.

Photo Credit: UCI World Cycling Tour

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