Giro d’Italia 2011 winner, Michele Scarponi, was killed on Saturday, 22 April, after crashing with a passing van during his cycling training. When the accident happened, Scarponi was riding on his bike with his team, Astana, whose members are left devastated by this tragic event.
Absolutely devastating to see the tragic news about @MicheleScarponi . One of the nicest guys you could ever meet. RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/hJrx4hgdoE
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) April 22, 2017
Italian champion, Michele Scarponi, 37, left behind a wife and their two kids. He was first noticed by the cycling world when his carrier took off back in 2002.
This is a tragedy too big to be written. Here is the official press release of the Astana Pro Team https://t.co/TDNc6MkkD1 Ciao Michele.
— Astana Proteam (@AstanaTeam) April 22, 2017
Back on Friday, he was able to finish fourth on the Tour of the Alps. His team members stated: “Our athlete Michele Scarponi died this morning while he was training on his bike close to his home in Filottrano. Michele was hit by a van on a crossroad. This morning Michele went out on his bike for early morning training and there the tragedy happened.”
They also expressed their deepest feelings by admitting to let a great champion and a special man go. They admitted Michele was always seen smiling and that he was a real milestone and a landmark for everyone in the Astana Pro Team.
Twitter reactions…
It was not easy to race, but we did it for Michele… #LBL Photo by @bettiniphoto : https://t.co/byifuyLDPf pic.twitter.com/tgjPDOBuf1
— Astana Proteam (@AstanaTeam) April 23, 2017
Many other teams in the cycling world expressed their sympathy of this tragic event including the Quick-step Cycling team and BMC Racing team.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the family, friends and team of Michele Scarponi, who passed away this morning in a traffic incident,” Quick-Step Cycling team added on their Twitter page.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family, friends and team of Michele Scarponi, who passed away this morning in a traffic incident. pic.twitter.com/12bWoMHi05
— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) April 22, 2017
Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Michele Scarponi and the entire @AstanaTeam. Our thoughts are with you all.
— BMC Racing Team (@BMCProTeam) April 22, 2017
Scarponi’s family will bury him in his Astana Team kit. This is as a perfect way to reflect his passion and life as a professional cyclist. His funeral service is expected to take place today in his hometown in Fillottrano. Anna Tommasi, Scarponi’s widow was the one to admit they will dress him as a cyclist. This only because they want to remember him like he used to come home every day from work.
