The outpouring of emotional messages remembering Michele Scarponi highlighted just why he was so admired and appreciated as a rider, a rival, a teammate, and a friend.
Scarponi always sought out happiness in life, using a joke, a smile and a funny face to ease the pain, the suffering, and the disappointment of professional cycling. He was only serious when it came to working for and advising his Astana team leaders, first Vincenzo Nibali and then Fabio Aru. Pressure and expectation are often high in professional teams at Grand Tours but Scarponi helped ease any tensions with a smile and an upbeat outlook on life.
Despite being 37 and a professional since 2002, Scarponi was still motivated to train and race. He had dashed home after the Tour of the Alps to give his twin sons Giacomo and Tommaso the leader’s jerseys he had won at the stage race, his final photo on Twitter showing him as a loving father. He opted to go training early on Saturday but tragedy struck just after eight in the morning. A van hit him on a down hill junction and he died instantly from his injuries.
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Scarponi’s sudden death has hit hard because of the circumstances and because of his friendly character. As Marco Bonarrigo pointed out in Corriere della Sera, if Scarponi hadn’t been a professional cyclist, he could have been an entertainer, a warm-hearted clown or an excellent motivator.
Scarponi played a vital role in Nibali’s 2014 Tour de France victory and again at last year’s Giro d’Italia. After working, often as last man, for Nibali, Scarponi knew how to help the Sicilian switch off from racing. His smile and jokes worked better than any recovery product on Nibali’s fatigue and frustration.
Ivan Basso put it well on Twitter: “Ciao Michele. Dear friend, example for everyone and a spreader of smiles.”
Scarponi will be remembered before Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège and before every race in Italy this weekend. In the weeks and months to come he will not be forgotten. His infectious enthusiasm for life touched many. Scarponi's joy at riding with the Macaw Frankje on his back was the perfect example of his approach to life. A few moments of simple fun were far important to him than success and being serious.
The Eagle lives on. Prayers to the @MicheleScarponi family while we remember and honor one of the most unique personalities in sport. http://pic.twitter.com/jsZs2wnpMu
— BrakeThrough Media (@BrakeThrough) April 22, 2017
A lifelong love for cycling
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