Just a few weeks ago, he had accepted Lello Ferrara's invitation and had talked about the illness he had been fighting for four years. A few days ago, he had welcomed many cycling friends who had come to Borgo Valsugana to surprise him with a party, but no one had thought about the saddest possibility at that moment. Which unfortunately became a reality this evening: Stefano Casagranda has left us.

Born in Borgo Valsugana on March 23, 1973, Stefano was a professional from 1996 to 2004, defending the colors of MG Boys, Riso Scotti, Amica Chips, Alessio, and Saeco. In his palmares, a stage of Paris-Nice in 1996, one of Hofbrau Cuop in 1997, one of Giro del Trentino in 1998, one of Vuelta Castilla y Leon in 2000, one of the Tour of Denmark in 2001, and one of the Regio Tour in 2002.

After concluding his career, he always remained in the world of two wheels, both with his activities and as a passionate and manager, as president of Velo Club Borgo Valsugana ("Thank you for everything Champion, it was an honor to have you as President" is the post on Facebook from his team) and as father of Andrea, a cyclist for BePink and girlfriend of Giulio Pellizzari, and Niccolò, who was also a rider in the past.

To them and to Stefano's entire family, we send our most sincere embrace.