The Col de l’Invergneux (also known as the Banzai Trail) above Cogne is one of the most popular high-alpine single-track routes in the Aosta Valley. For Luca Mauri, who lived in the Aosta Valley and knew the region like the back of his hand, the route was familiar territory. Last Tuesday, however, the ride ended fatally for the experienced mountaineer and mountain biker.

Medical Emergency During the Ascent

Toward the end of the morning, hikers raised the alarm after spotting his motionless body and his mountain bike at an altitude of just under 2,700 meters, not far from the pass. The mountain rescue team, alerted to the situation, could only confirm Mauri’s death upon arrival and begin the recovery process. According to initial findings, Mauri suffered a sudden medical emergency during the ascent.

Pioneer of the 1990s

With the death of 56-year-old Luca Mauri, the Italian scene has lost a defining figure from the early years of mountain biking. A native of Turin, he was one of the leading figures in the Italian cycling scene in the 1990s and competed in the Mountain Bike World Cup—including in 1995 while wearing the Scott team jersey. After his active career as a racer, Mauri remained loyal to the mountains and, as an ambitious trail runner, competed in numerous challenging vertical races.