Another tragedy narrowly averted. It happened to Edoardo Laino, from Reano (Turin), Piedmont, 25 years old on February 3rd who races for GoodShop Team, of which Daniele Laino, Edoardo's father, is president and has achieved two victories. Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. he had just left for training at his Sestriere retreat: it was his last day. He was heading towards the Cesana area when an SUV suddenly turned left. Edoardo certainly could not avoid the impact and fell onto the asphalt. The bike frame broke in two, but fortunately the young man was saved.

Now he is at Susa hospital with fractures to the tibia and fibula of his left leg. He also suffered a fractured pelvis and three broken ribs. He will need to be transferred to the Orthopedic Trauma Center in Turin where he will almost certainly undergo surgery to reduce the fractures.

«Fortunately I can tell the story - says Edoardo Laino with a weak voice from his hospital bed - I was on my way and suddenly found this SUV on top of me that I couldn't avoid. I had the impression that the driver didn't even notice my arrival».

Edoardo Laino was promptly assisted and transported by ambulance to Susa hospital. The Piedmont cyclist holds a degree in Sports Science and works as a trainer in addition to racing. He is in his third year as an elite rider. «This season is over for me now, I was in Sestriere because I had two or three races I was interested in. Hopefully I can get back on the bike, but the important thing is that I survived. There have been tragedies these days, two girls who died, one in Trentino, another in Sicily. We cyclists are always in danger».

Get well soon Edoardo and we hope to see you back in the peloton soon.

Here we report Edoardo Laino's statement shared on social media: 

“Everything was going better than I could have imagined during this high-altitude training camp. Finally my physical condition was becoming what I needed, the kind you rarely feel. Mentally I was finding peace, determination, and joy in what I do. My body felt like it was working at its best, with all the effort, sacrifice, resilience, consistency, and hunger that few truly understand and know that I live with every day of my life.

Now I feel lost, but fortunate. I feel empty, but more alive than ever.

I had what I love torn from my hands, the bike and racing, but I also saw my life pass before my eyes in a second. This is not the end, those who know me well or somewhat know that I have always gotten back up from everything.

This time it will take time, a lot of determination and patience, a lot of suffering...things that nourish me every day. A new long chapter of my life is beginning, and that's the most beautiful thing, the fact that I can continue to write my story.

You almost succeeded this time, but my will to live and love is stronger. I'm still here, and after proper rest we'll get back to pushing.

It's unfair everything that continues to happen every day, with too much frequency now. These are human lives, lives of young people who dream and people who want to be well and do what they love. It's unacceptable to have to be afraid of not coming home when you go out to do sports”.

Edoardo Laino