April 5, 2008 — Sadly, there were two recent deaths in the Italian and Canadian cycling milieux. Valentino Fois, a former teammate of the late Marco Pantani, was found dead at his residence in Italy on March 28. On Tuesday, it was Gian Carlo Rover, the father of Steve Rover, who passed away in Montreal.

Initial reports suggested that the 34-year-old Fois may have died from an embolism. Fois recently signed with Amore & Vita-McDonald, signalling his return to pro cycling after a three-year doping suspension and brushes with the law according to AFP. The Amore & Vita-McDonald team includes Canadian rider Phil Cortes.

Gian Carlo Rover, 72, was the father of Steve Rover who rode with top Canadian sprinter Gord Fraser on the Mutuelle de Seine de Marne team and was the first Canadian to wear the National Champion jersey (1996) while riding for a pro team in Europe.