Ricardo Gioberto, a 16-year-old Italian downhill mountain bike racer for Black Crew DH, died on Wednesday 12 August at the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Turin, two months after suffering severe injuries in a crash during a race in Spain.
Gioberto, known to friends and family as “Giobi,” was competing at La Molina in Catalonia on Saturday 06 June 2026 when he crashed heavily during the event. He sustained life-threatening neurological injuries and was rushed to intensive care at Sabadell Hospital, where he underwent two neurosurgical operations in the days that followed. His parents, Massimo and Sabrina, rushed to the hospital and remained at his bedside throughout the ordeal, according to Italian regional outlet L’Agenda News.
After roughly two months of treatment in Spain, doctors judged Gioberto stable enough for a medically supervised flight back to Italy. He was transferred to the specialist team at Turin’s Città della Salute e della Scienza hospital, where efforts continued to stabilise his condition. News of his hospitalisation in the Piedmontese capital had rekindled hope among his family, childhood friends and the wider cycling community, who continued to cheer for his recovery.
Unfortunately, Gioberto’s body was unable to recover from the trauma. He died on 12 August, surrounded by his family.
Gioberto lived in San Didero, in the Val di Susa region of Piedmont, and had raced downhill mountain bikes for four years, building a strong reputation both on and off the bike for his talent and enthusiasm. Away from racing, he hoped to become a veterinarian. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief across the Susa Valley, with tributes describing his warmth and determination.
Gran Fondo Daily News extends its deepest condolences to Ricardo Gioberto’s family, friends and schoolmates.
Photo Credit: Black Crew DH
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