"With deep sadness we learn that our dear Natale Luigi Volpi, founding member of the association 'Amici della Pista', left us yesterday evening. Our community and the cycling movement will now be orphaned of a profound connoisseur and passionate enthusiast of our sport and above all a steadfast supporter of the young riders who practiced it". The message posted on social media by Amici della Pista only partially captures the figure of Luigi Volpi, who was a cyclist, technician, administrator and above all a lover of two wheels.

He was born on December 20, 1937, and as a young man he practiced road cycling, winning extensively among amateur riders of 1st, 2nd and 3rd category, carrying out his activity particularly in Lombardy. In 1986 he participated in the founding of Amici della Pista - one of his protégés was always Giovanni Lombardi - and from 1992 to 1996 he served as president of the Regional Technical Structure of Friuli Venezia Giulia, winning the Giro d'Italia amateur title in 1994 with Leonardo Piepoli. Three years later, in his role as sports director of Caneva Record, he won it again, guiding Tadej Valiavec to victory.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Volpi family.