Lino Gastaldello was the owner and managing director of the Italian manufacturer Wilier-Triestina. During his usual bike ride on Saturday morning at around 10.30 a.m., he was hit by the car of a man from Macedonia who lives near Treviso, Gastaldello's place of residence. This was reported by the Italian website ilgiornaledivicenza.it.
After receiving emergency medical treatment at the scene of the accident and being taken to hospital, the 71-year-old died there two hours later.
Gastaldello was instrumental in bringing the Wilier brand back to its former strength after declines in the 50s and 60s. He was associated with Italy's most famous professional cyclists, including Marco Pantani, Damiano Cunego and Allesandro Ballan, who also raced on Wilier bikes.
The Wilier-equipped Lampre-Farnese-Vini team expressed its deepest sympathy in a public statement shortly after the news became known and thanked Gastaldello for his great commitment to cycling. The deceased company owner leaves behind four children. His three sons have been running the operational business at Wilier for some time.
