The cycling world of Varese mourns the passing of Ambrogio Colombo, former professional cyclist and father of Gabriele, winner of the Milan – San Remo in 1996.

A native of San Vittore Olona, born in 1940, Ambrogio Colombo turned professional in October 1963 after a brilliant amateur career and immediately distinguished himself in the Giro di Lombardia, finishing in 43rd place.

He raced for team owner Giovanni Borghi during the seasons 1964 and 1965 and then moved to Molteni in 1966, also participating in the Tour de France where he finished in 44th place.

After his professional cycling career ended, he continued to ride as an amateur, and his gas station on Via Sanvito Silvestro in Varese had meanwhile become a meeting point for all cycling enthusiasts. In the meantime, he passed on his passion to his sons Fabrizio and Gabriele, with the latter achieving his greatest feat by winning the San Remo in 1996.

Last October the first symptoms of illness appeared, as Sergio Gianoli recalls in La Prealpina, followed by surgery in January, but certain health issues proved stronger than willpower. Until a few days ago he followed on television that Tour de France in which he had been a protagonist in 1965 and 1966, then came the admission to the hospice at the Circolo Hospital in Varese where he passed away this morning.

The announcement was made by his wife Angela and his children Claudia, Fabrizio and Gabriele.

The final farewell to Ambrogio Colombo will be held Tuesday, July 28 at 9:15 a.m. at the Parochial Church of Masnago in Varese. For those wishing to pay their respects, Ambrogio is now resting at the Sant'Ambrogio Funeral Home at Via Mulini Grassi 10 in Varese.