Vincenzo Nibali devastated as teen he sponsored killed while cycling

Vincenzo Nibali is reported to have been in tears before the start of yesterday’s Stage 9 time trial at the Giro d’Italia after learning of the death of a 14-year-old boy who rode for the ASD Nibali youth cycling team he sponsors.

Rosario Costa was riding along the coastal road in Messina with his father and a group of friends when he was involved in a collision with a municipal rubbish truck coming the other way, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The newspaper says that Astana rider Nibali learnt of the death of the promising young cyclist, whom he regarded as a “godson,” after returning from a reconnaissance of the route of yesterday’s time trial  in Tuscany’s Chianti Classico wine-growing area.

The Italian road national champion tweeted a montage of pictures of the youngster, who earlier this month finished fifth in the Sicilian junior championships, with the words: “Unfortunately I’ve heard some sad news. RIP Rosario, there are no words. 1 minute’s silence.”

Purtroppo sono stato raggiunto da una triste notizia RIP Rosario non ci sono parole, 1' di silenzio. #AsdNibali pic.twitter.com/G0wjJLaHzU

— Vincenzo Nibali (@vincenzonibali) May 15, 2016

The authorities are investigating the fatal collision, which was reportedly captured by CCTV cameras at a nearby commercial premises.