Italian racer Luca Colnaghi has been left nursing a dislocated collarbone and microfracture to his rib after he was attacked by a pair of motorcyclists whereas out coaching on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old, who’s in his fourth season with VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè, was out coaching along with his brother Andrea close to Lake Como in Northern Italy when the pair have been cornered by a motorcyclist.
Speaking to Tuttobiciweb, Colnaghi stated that the motorcyclist pressured the pair to cease earlier than pushing him to the bottom and attacking him.
“Unfortunately, on our method, we got here throughout a man on a motorcycle searching for hassle. He flanked me, insulted me, and put his bike sideways to drive me to cease,” Colnaghi stated.
“When I got here head to head with him, we tried to calm him down, to inform him to cease, that we had no want to battle, however he pushed me and made me fall.
“He attacked me, grabbing me by the neck. Luckily, my brother and I managed to cease him and make him go away. He tried to intimidate us by going again the mistaken method as if he was going to crash into us head-on, however that appeared to be the tip of it.”
Colnaghi, who started his 2025 season with 4 one-day races in Spain, stated that he later returned to the scene of the assault having realised that his earphones had fallen from his jersey pocket.
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“I made the error of returning to the scene alone,” he stated, earlier than describing the second assault, during which the primary motorcyclist was accompanied by one other.
“The biker, who I later found was already recognized to police, returned with one other on a motorbike. First, they grazed me to make me fall after which, once I was operating away, the opposite one picked up a rock from the highway and threw it at my again wheel,” Colnaghi stated.
“Not content material with that, they got here at me with the bike, blocking me towards the quick wall along side the highway that separated the highway from the lake. I used to be already harm from the affect, however as if that wasn’t sufficient, the 2 left the bike to seize me from behind and punch me within the face.”
Colnaghi’s father arrived on the scene shortly after, having been alerted by an alarm on his bike laptop. The emergency companies and Carabinieri additionally arrived, although Colnaghi stated he was upset that no motorists had stopped to intervene or assist.
“I used to be very saddened to seek out that, regardless of my blatant pleas for assist, no motorist stopped,” Colnaghi stated. “Only an newbie bicycle owner who witnessed the scene, once I was within the ambulance, provided to be my witness. I’ve been coaching on these roads since I used to be a baby and immediately biking is my job.
“I put on a recognisable uniform and the chance of discovering these characters is a foregone conclusion. I am going out on my bike with ’25 extra eyes open’, however I hope they by no means do something unhealthy to me or anybody else once more. I consider in justice, and I hope the authorities will do their responsibility, in any other case, how is one to defend oneself in Italy?”
Colnaghi managed to take a photograph of the motorcyclist’s quantity plates through the assaults. He has requested for help from the ACCPI (Italian rider’s union) and has filed a grievance with the Carabinieri. Zerosbatti, a authorized agency specialising in aiding cyclists, will characterize Colnaghi.
“Luca Colnaghi’s attackers, on account of the investigations we requested by way of the lawsuit, should reply for critical offences comparable to wilful damage, assault, threats – with aggravating circumstances,” stated lawyer Federico Balconi.
“We hope that the general public prosecutor’s workplace will rigorously perform all the required actions to ensure Luca and all cyclists within the space security and safety from these harmful people.”
Colnaghi suffered a dislocated shoulder within the assault, additionally struggling a rib microfracture. He’s been suggested to take a 10-day break from racing however he is heading to Belgium this weekend with the GP Criquelion and GP Monseré on his upcoming schedule.
“VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè expresses its help and solidarity with Luca Colnaghi, who was the sufferer of a critical assault whereas returning dwelling after a coaching session,” the Italian crew stated in an announcement launched following the assault.
“Colnaghi suffered a dislocated shoulder and a microfracture to his ribs, with a prognosis of 10 days of relaxation. Despite this, his preventing spirit drives him to honor his sporting commitments in Belgium subsequent weekend on the GP Criquielion and GP Monseré, races he’s decided to take part in.”