Galletti dies at Subida al Naranco

Alessio Galletti (Naturino-Sapore di Mare) has died suddenly during the Spanish Subida al Naranco one-day race, that was held today in the region of Asturias, won by Rinaldo Nocentini (Acqua & Sapone). According to Spanish website todociclismo.com, the 37 year-old Italian rider "couldn't get air" as he was passing the Alto de La Manzaneda, located at approx. 15 kilometres before the finish. Belgian VRT reported him as having a heart attack.

He was taken to the Hospital Central de Asturias in Oviedo by ambulance, but the medical staff could not do anything to save his life.

Galletti turned pro in 1994 with Lampre, and subsequently rode for Panaria (1996), Ros Mary (1997), Amore e Vita (1998), Saeco (1999-2003), Domina Vacanze (2004), and Naturino - Sapore di Mare (2005). He won three races during his career: a stage in the Tour de d'Ain in 1998, a stage in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under in 2001, and the GP Fred Mengoni in 2003.

In the middle of June 2004, he was suspended from the Domina Vacanze team after being named as part of the phone tapping investigation involving Italian doctor Carlo Santuccione.