Two-time Paris-Roubaix champion and Italian national team manager Franco Ballerini passed away on Sunday morning from serious injuries inflicted while acting as co-driver during the Rally Ronde race in Larciano, Tuscany.
During Ballerini's tenure as manager of the squadra azzura (national team) he piloted three riders to four victories at the World Road Championships. Cipollini (2002), Bettini (2006 & 2007) and Ballan (2008). He was also team manager at the 2004 Athens Olympic games, where Paolo Bettini won gold in the mens road race.
Ballerini's professional cycling career spanned 16 years, beginning with the Magniflex team (1981) and closing with Mapei-Quickstep (2001). A noted classics specialist, Franco epitomised PRO style off and on the bike... one of the all time greats. Franco's full cycling palmares can be viewed here.
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