Yesterday, at only 69 years of age, Ennio Bongiorni passed away, a Massa sports director who dedicated his entire life to cycling. A passion that led him to open a store for sports event organization, the 'Tuttogare' on Via Castagnara. "We have lost Ennio Bongiorni, a technician, director, and entrepreneur in the world of cycling. In his extremely long career as a director, he achieved numerous successes, reviving clubs and bringing many athletes to the highest levels. The Fci Provincial Committee of Massa and Carrara and the Massa Carrara societies express their condolences to the family during this moment of grief" reads the social media pages of the Committee.

Bongiorni, who passed away yesterday morning after a long illness, was a pioneer in many fields: he believed in women's cycling when few did and opened doors for Eastern European athletes, bringing many Ukrainian cyclists to Italy. Among them, Oleksandr Kvachuk gave him the world road title and silver in the time trial among juniors in 2001, while Dmytro Hrabovs'kyj won silver in Montreal 2003, also in the time trial.

Bongiorni leaves behind his wife Tiziana, to whom we extend our condolences. The funeral will be held tomorrow in Massa Carrara at 3:15 PM in the Mirteto church.