Gianni Sommariva, the father of Settimana Bergamasca and many other races, passed away during the night. A brilliant organizer, sports director and later federation official, he was for decades a leading figure in the Italian cycling movement.

His daughter Stefania remembered him this way on social media: "Goodbye Dad, you have finished your race on earth and entered a new dimension of Light, peace and Love. I know you are there, always, and you will be, even though the pain of human separation is great and deep.

I thank you for being my dad in this life and for teaching me so much, especially to love unconditionally, to fight and to live. You were one of the greatest cycling organizers I have ever known and an excellent federation official. And I thank you for passing on to me this passion for cycling, which united us so much and allowed us to meet wonderful people in the great cycling family.

Take your smile, your joy and your love wherever you go. May the Lord accompany you and sustain us in this moment".

Our deepest condolences and warm embrace to Stefania and her family.