World-famous extreme motorcyclist and social media personality Andreas Tonelli, 48, died on July 15 when he fell from a mountain cliff in the Vallelunga region of Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Italy. The news was reported by several Italian media outlets.
Tonelli, a man who became famous for his challenging biking expeditions over rough landscapes, had gained a large following online. With more than 130,000 Instagram followers and over 1,200 posts, he regularly shared his experiences, inspiring a huge fan base of outdoor lovers.
The Fatal Fall
As per a report by L’Unione Sarda, Tonelli was cycling by himself when he plummeted about 600 feet while riding on a part of the trail that was unusually steep and dangerous. Because of the topography of the area, police investigators have struggled to figure out the sequence of events that culminated in the fatal mishap.
It raised concerns when Tonelli did not turn up by 9 p.m. that night. He was searched for and his body was finally spotted at approximately 1 a.m. by a helicopter crew at the bottom of a deep ravine.
The rescue mission was also made more difficult by bad weather, heavy rain included.
Tonelli’s last Instagram story was posted at 7:15 p.m. local time on July 15, just hours before his disappearance.
The story featured him smiling while carrying his bike on his shoulders, with the stunning Piz Duleda peak in the Puez Odle Nature Park visible in the background. The video has since been deleted, but according to L’Unione Sarda, it captured a joyful moment shortly after he had climbed 9,531 feet.
Norrrøna Tributes
After the tragedy, Norrøna, a premium outdoor equipment company for which Tonelli was an ambassador, posted a touching tribute on Instagram.
“It is with great sadness that we pass along the news that pro mountain biker, true gentleman, and Norrøna ambassador Andreas Tonelli died in a cycling accident on July 15,” the company posted.
Reminiscing about Tonelli, the company included that he was famous for his contagious smile, dedication to biking, and the happiness he shared with the community.
“He enjoyed sharing his love of mountain biking with all and had a great impact on all the people he encountered,” read the post further.
They ended their message by sending condolences: “Our sympathy and deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
