Driver who allegedly hit Davide Rebellin before fleeing the scene, located in Germany
After a manhunt for the driver, 62-year-old man located in Germany
The truck driver who allegedly struck and killed Davide Rebellin on Wednesday has been identified and traced following cooperation between Italian, Slovenian, German and Austrian authorities.
Rebellin, who was just 51-years-old, was killed instantly after being run over by a truck driver while on a training ride in Montebello Vicentino on Wednesday.
He had only just retired from professional cycling and had participated in a Monaco criterium the previous weekend.
The 62-year-old driver of the lorry faces a charge in Italy of vehicular homicide, but although he has been located in Germany, has not been arrested as the offence is not covered under the German penal code.
According to a report by Il Gazzettino, the driver was fully aware that he had struck Rebellin, but nevertheless, still fled the scene. The Italian newspaper claims that witnesses saw the driver exit his Volvo truck after the crash and approach Rebellin, before then getting back into his vehicle and driving away.
Initial reports of the incident say that Rebellin was struck by the vehicle as it sped out of a motorway exit before hitting him.
According to Il Gazzettino, the German driver had also committed two previous traffic offences on Italian roads.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In 2001, he pleaded guilty to a non-fatal hit-and-run incident, although the sentence was later quashed.
In 2014, the same man was charged in Chieti with driving under the influence of alcohol.
The man works for a haulage firm based in Recke in northern Germany and was in Italy on Wednesday to collect cargo from a freight terminal in Verona. After fleeing the scene of the collision with Rebellin, the driver allegedly made a delivery in Berlin before returning to the north.
Thanks to quick-thinking witnesses near the scene of Rebellin’s death, Italian police were able to track the driver, also by using footage from a nearby CCTV camera.
Giuseppe Moscati, commander of the local Carabinieri, said that work in Italy and abroad had enabled a “meticulous reconstruction” of the movements of the German driver.
He said: "We don't know if that will help to relieve the pain that the local and wider Italian community is feeling, but I want to thank everybody – from the institutions to ordinary people – who have helped the Carabinieri in their inquiry."
Tributes to Rebellin have poured in from across the cycling community in the past two days.
Philippe Gilbert, who raced the recent Monaco criterium with Rebellin posted a message on Twitter which said: “A few days ago we were doing our last pro race in Monaco and today you left to join the stars... I am very sad we will miss you amico. RIP Davide Rebellin.”
The organiser of the Giro d'italia, RCS, also suspended the presentation of the 2023 Maglia Rosa on Wednesday in light of the former professional cyclists tragic death.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Has cycling's most affordable pro bike brand just launched its aero machine?
Van Rysel set to equip Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale with new RCR-F in 2025
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Even if you ride a lot, here's why you shouldn't skip leg day at the gym
Think your legs get enough exercise? A little gym time can unlock big strength and performance gains.
By Greg Kaplan Published
-
‘It was a mistake, a tragedy’ - man accused of killing Davide Rebellin faces three year, 11-month sentence
Italian rider killed in November 2022 after being reportedly struck by truck driven by German Wolfgang Rieke
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW Live: Julian Alaphilippe to begin season with Faun-Ardèche Classic; Caleb Ewan confirmed for Milan-San Remo; autopsy confirms impact with truck killed Davide Rebellin; Remco Evenepoel to start 2023 at Vuelta a San Juan and UAE Tour dates confirmed
All the need to know news in cycling on 21 December
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Giro d’Italia organiser postpones Maglia Rosa presentation after death of Davide Rebellin
Presentation indefinitely postponed by RCS after Rebellin’s sudden death
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tributes to Davide Rebellin pour in from the global cycling community
Italian recently retired professional cyclist was killed yesterday morning after being struck by a truck
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Former Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner Davide Rebellin killed after being hit by truck
Recently retired Italian rider died after the collision earlier today, police currently searching for driver
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Davide Rebellin to call time on 30 year cycling career at 51-years-old
Italian says that 2022 will be his last year as a professional cyclist
By Adam Becket Published