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Italian road bicycle racer Michele Scarponi died Saturday morning. He was riding his bicycle when the fatal accident transpired. He was hit by a van at a crossroads. The driver claims he didn’t see Scarponi, who died as he lived; riding his bike.
The Astana team confirmed the news on its website, writing: “This is a tragedy too painful to be written. 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.”
Michele had just returned home, after finishing in fourth place in Tour of the Alps on Friday. He was only 37-years-old.
Scarponi had been a pro cyclist since 2002. He had participated in numerous competitions, including the 2010 Tirreno-Adriatico; a race where he finished in second place.
Scarponi died in his hometown of Filottrano in the central Le Marche region of Italy.
