In Memorium: Pietro D’Alliessi; USI Club Champion 1954 & 1956
USI recently lost one of its old racers, . The following text was forwarded from a mutual friend of the Unione, Edward Albert.
“Today good friend was buried. His name was Peter (Pietro) D’Alliessi. Some
of you old timers may have known him. In the 1950’s (before my time) he
raced for the prominent New York, club the Unione Sportiva Italiana. In
1954 & 1956 he was club champion. In 1957 he turned pro and rode his first
six-day. His partner and guide was our own Ted Ernst. I believe this was
in Cleveland.
He was T-boned by an SUV and spent the next 6 weeks in intensive
care. After an operation last Friday he died from his injuries. He was 78, hit on his
birthday riding his 50’s Balilla with no brakes but incredible skill. He
could stop on a dime and would still dismount by pushing the bike forward
and jumping off the back. 78! They said that he survived at all was due to
the shape he was in.”
Ted Ernst related the following: “Here is a photo of Pietro D’Alliessi,(16),
and Ted Ernst,(15) just after the spring 1957 Cleveland 6-Day. The fellow between us is two two time Olympian Tom
O’rourke who we both raced against often. Tom was one of our
soigneurs. The fellow on the right is a friend who came from
NY to watch and enjoyed being at our booth and helping out. Can’t remember his name. We got 7th place and were best US team, the euros relegated us. A couple of the Americans were teamed with a
european and placed ahead of us. The blue train rode very hard and made sure we went to school before we got the chance to challenge. Shall we call it inter-teamwork. Pete was a real hard rider and gentleman. I remember him with great fondness and respect. Maybe some of our list members saw the race.”
