Vale: Franco Ballerini, 1964 - 2010

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Friends and collaborators. The widely popular Ballerini has some fun with Paolo Bettini after the latter claimed Olympic gold in Athens, 2004

Friends and collaborators. The widely popular Ballerini has some fun with Paolo Bettini after the latter claimed Olympic gold in Athens, 2004 (Image credit: AFP)
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Vale: Franco Ballerini, 1964-2010

Vale: Franco Ballerini, 1964-2010 (Image credit: AFP)
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Franco Ballerini in full flight on the cobbles of Roubaix in 1998

Franco Ballerini in full flight on the cobbles of Roubaix in 1998 (Image credit: AFP)
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Franco Ballerini savours the moment as he collects the winners trophy in the 1998 Paris-Roubaix

Franco Ballerini savours the moment as he collects the winners trophy in the 1998 Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: AFP)
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Ballerini (centre) celebrates Mapei's 1-2-3 in Paris-Roubaix in 1998 with teammates Andrea Tafi and Wilfried Peeters

Ballerini (centre) celebrates Mapei's 1-2-3 in Paris-Roubaix in 1998 with teammates Andrea Tafi and Wilfried Peeters (Image credit: AFP)
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Paolo Bettini and Fraco Ballerini confer during the 2008 World Championship road race in Varese, Italy

Paolo Bettini and Fraco Ballerini confer during the 2008 World Championship road race in Varese, Italy (Image credit: AFP)
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Franco Ballerini and Eddy Planckaert

Franco Ballerini and Eddy Planckaert (Image credit: Sirotti)
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The first of Ballerini's Paris-Roubaix triumphs in 1995

The first of Ballerini's Paris-Roubaix triumphs in 1995 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini finished a close second to Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle in the 1993 edition of Paris-Roubaix

Ballerini finished a close second to Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle in the 1993 edition of Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini flys past the camera

Franco Ballerini flys past the camera (Image credit: Sirotti)
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(Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini leads a group onto a cobbled sector in Paris-Roubaix

Franco Ballerini leads a group onto a cobbled sector in Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix

Franco Ballerini on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini (1964-2010)

Franco Ballerini (1964-2010) (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini (left) with Mario Cipollini and Johan Museeuw in 1993

Ballerini (left) with Mario Cipollini and Johan Museeuw in 1993 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini heads to the podium after finishing second in Paris-Roubaix in 1993

Ballerini heads to the podium after finishing second in Paris-Roubaix in 1993 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini with Mario Cipollini in 1993

Ballerini with Mario Cipollini in 1993 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini led a Mapei 1-2-3 in the 1998 Paris-Roubaix

Ballerini led a Mapei 1-2-3 in the 1998 Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini and Michele Bartoli in Maastricht at the start of the 1998 Amstel Gold race

Franco Ballerini and Michele Bartoli in Maastricht at the start of the 1998 Amstel Gold race (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini in the peloton during his professional career

Ballerini in the peloton during his professional career (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini (right) with Team Italy teammate Maurizio Fondriest (left)

Franco Ballerini (right) with Team Italy teammate Maurizio Fondriest (left) (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Ballerini leads the Italian team at the World Championships in 1989

Ballerini leads the Italian team at the World Championships in 1989 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini on the attack at the World Championships in 1989

Franco Ballerini on the attack at the World Championships in 1989 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini wins Paris-Roubaix in 1998

Franco Ballerini wins Paris-Roubaix in 1998 (Image credit: Sirotti)
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Franco Ballerini in rally mode. Motorsport was a passion of the Italian national coach

Franco Ballerini in rally mode. Motorsport was a passion of the Italian national coach (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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A rallying enthusiast, Ballerini sadly passed when he was involved in a rally accident in February 2010

A rallying enthusiast, Ballerini sadly passed when he was involved in a rally accident in February 2010 (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Ballerini quickly moved into a coaching role after his professional career ended

Ballerini quickly moved into a coaching role after his professional career ended (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Ballerini says thank you and farewell to Paris-Roubaix

Ballerini says thank you and farewell to Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Franco Ballerini spent two years with Lampre

Franco Ballerini spent two years with Lampre (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Franco Ballerini races for Lampre at the Tour of Flanders

Franco Ballerini races for Lampre at the Tour of Flanders (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Franco Ballerini after Paris-Roubaix

Franco Ballerini after Paris-Roubaix (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Ballerini gets a pre-race massage during his professional career

Ballerini gets a pre-race massage during his professional career (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
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Italian national coach Franco Ballerini

Italian national coach Franco Ballerini (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Former Italian cyclist Franco Ballerini was tragically killed on Sunday after a competitive accident while contesting the 1st Rally Ronde as a co-driver for experienced pilot Alessandro Ciardi. Ballerini suffered serious injuries in the accident before passing away at the Hospital of Pistoia, while no report on Ciardi’s condition has been made available.