Michele Scarponi – A Life In Photos

By Alastair Hamilton On Apr 26, 2017

Michele Scarponi – Photo Tribute: Over 6,000 people attended the Tuesday service to lay to rest Michele Scarponi in his home town of Filottrano in the Marche region of Italy, including many top cyclists from the past and present who were there to pay their last respects. We say goodbye with a photographic tribute to a very special man.

From hundreds of photos of Michele we have chosen these pics to celebrate the life of a rider who was held in high regard by many and with much affection from both sides of the barriers.

Many people in the world of cycling have paid their own tributes, along with the PEZ Crew, here are some of them.

First is from our PEZ man in Italy, Alessandro Federico: “I have several pictures showing Michele Scarponi but none of them are really appropriate in this moment. I live in the same region as Michele and here the feeling is stronger than everywhere else. He was an idol and most of the local supporters knew him in person and they also met him on the roads. When the Giro was passing through our towns in Marche region there was only one scream from the people: “Vai Michele!”

Not having the right words I prefer to read the contribution of someone else, that found at least a reason to look ahead of this tragic incident: Yesterday a local newspaper – Il Corriere Adriatico – interpreted the feeling of all of us with a picture on the front page and few words: “Those puppies are our sons” says the title on the right and the picture shows the widow entering the morgue with her two little sons wearing the leaders jersey of Tour of Alps given by their father a few days earlier. I believe there is nothing else to explain or to say. Michele Scarponi was giving us so much joy and he was always laughing and smiling. Now it’s time to return part of this to those “puppies”.

Ed Hood’s full obituary HERE.

A very young Scarponi takes a win in the 2002 Settimana Lombarda. His first pro win was in Trentino, the same race as his last win

Astana directeur sportif Giuseppe Martinelli: “He was an example. He was a man, and when someone is a man, he’s a man. I had a great understanding with him from the start. I confided in him and he did in me. He would say things to you jokingly, and then if you didn’t understand, he became serious and things had to go like he said.”

Settimana Lombarda leaders jersey

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar): “It’s a huge blow, nobody deserves something like that to happen to them, but Michele was a very happy, upbeat sort of person, on and off the bike, it’s a real pity.”

On the podium with Cadel Evans and Maurizio Vandelli at the 2004 Tour of Austria

Cannondale-Drapac DS, Juanma Garate: “It makes us all realize how much of a bubble we’re all in living in, thinking that ‘nothing like that could happen to us.’ But we’re all human, and it’s hard to accept, but a thing like this makes us put our feet back on the ground, and stop focussing too much on trivial stuff, that for example, if our race socks aren’t quite the right fit.”

Leading Matthias Kessler and Tyler Hamilton in the 2004 Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Sky’s Geraint Thomas: “Devastated to hear the news about Scarponi. Can’t believe it. My thoughts with all his friends, family and team”.

2005 Vuelta a España: Working for Roberto Heras in Liberty Seguros colors

Richard Pestes, PEZ Publisher: “While I admit to not being his biggest fan, I always watched in wonder as he timed his season perfectly to peak at the Giro, and regardless of how quiet his early races had been, he’d emerge on the high mountain stages as one to watch. And even though I’ve been to a dozen or so Giro’s, I never had a personal encounter with him, but I do recall how much the fans and Italian photogs loved him. He rarely showed his face at the Tour, but when you’re as popular at home as Scarponi, there was really no need to ride elsewhere. He seemed to be a model for enjoying life – and that’s something we could all relate to.”

When it all went wrong with the Spanish team, returned to Aqua e Sapone and stage 2 win in the Coppi e Bartali in 2007

Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish: “Absolutely devastating to see the tragic news about Michele Scarponi. One of the nicest guys you could ever meet. RIP my friend.”

Special saddle for Michele

The Giro d’Italia: “A tragic accident took you away from us. You will always be in our hearts and on our roads. Ciao Michele.”

The move to Androni in 2009 and a stage win in Tirreno-Adriatico

Astana teammate, Fabio Aru: “Infinite tragedy. There are no words. Rest in peace My friend.”

His town of Filottrano had a big fan club

Alex Dowsett (Movistar): “Terrible news to wake up to. One of the smiliest happiest guys in the peloton. RIP.”

The 2009 Giro d’Italia brought two stage wins

Astana Pro Team: “This is a tragedy too big to be written.”

Always up for a laugh

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida): “I do not know, I cannot do it! I have no words my friend..”

Happy with a leaders jersey at the 2009 Tirreno-Adriatico

ASO race organizer, Christian Prudhomme: “He was somebody really appreciated in the peloton, the kind of guy who was always cheerful, always able to lift people’s mood. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, his children, his widow and his team.”

On the Tirreno ’10 podium with good friend Stefano Garzelli

Ivan Basso: “Ciao Michele. Dear friend, example for everyone and a spreader of smiles.”

Another mountain stage win in the Giro, 2010 stage 19

Gordan Cameron (PEZ Reporter): “He was a brilliant guy to photograph, a bit like Greipel (funnily enough), always something singing in his expressions. Very popular with his fellow riders, and with the fans, with endless amounts of patience for autographs and pictures… and did his time for his indiscretions without much fuss, which is more than can be said for a lot of his contemporaries.”

Second to Philippe Gilbert in the 2010 Giro di Lombardia and his last race with Androni

PEZ editor, Alastair Hamilton: “Scarponi was one of the nice guys in the peloton. Always laughing and joking. I saw him at the Astana training camps and he would be sitting in the hotel cafe chatting with everyone. Out-going and obviously happy with life.”

A surprised race leader in Trentino

Daniel Oss (BMC): “I’m trying to re-elaborate what’s happened yesterday but… No words! In this moment I’m thinking to his family. Condolence.”

They have some strange customs in the Alps

Chris Froome (Sky): “The whole world of cycling is in shock, it’s a tragedy that strikes not only professional riders but all those who ride bikes.”

The 2011 Catalunya podium with Alberto Contador

Ex rider, Davide Cassani: “ciao capitano”.

Another good friend; Roman Kreuziger

Scarponi fan and social media commentator, Heather Morrison (@Trudgin): “Ciao Michele, you broke our hearts, we didn’t ‘know’ you, but we ‘knew’ you as the champion and the smile. We are going to miss you.

With Ivan Basso

PEZ contributor, Ed Hood: “I never witnessed Scarponi at stage starts to be anything but cheerful, fun and fully engaged with the fans for autographs and pictures – the Tifosi loved him, he always raised one of the biggest cheers at the sign on. And no matter how tough the day had been when the inevitable microphone was jammed into his face at the finish there was always a smile and an honest account of his day’s racing.”

Stage 20 to Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the 2013 Giro d’Italia went through a heavy snow storm, 4th overall for Scarponi

Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo): “Paralyzed and wordless after hearing the news of the accident of Scarponi. Great person and always with a contagious smile. R.I.P. Friend.”

Lampre-Merida teammates: Ulissi – Scarponi and Pozzato on the GP Costa degli Etruschi 2013 podium

Team FJD: “We found out with sadness of the death of Michele Scarponi. All our thoughts to his family, his closed ones and Astana Team.”

Another hard day at the Giro in 2014

Team Sunweb: “We’re deeply shocked by the passing away of Michele Scarponi. Our thoughts go out to his relatives, friends and teammates Astana team.”

But still happy

Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis): “I intend to remember you every minute of my life, Michele Scarponi, and tell your kids what a wonderful person you were. You will always be with us.”

Working for the Tour de France leader Vincenzo Nibali in 2014

Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo): “What a terrible news. Such a funny guy. RIP Michele Scarponi. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

A smile as always. With Lieuwe Westra at the 2014 Tour

Katusha-Alpecin: “One big family. We will miss Michele Scarponi. His humor & always-being-in-good-mood. Our thoughts go to his family & Astana teammates.”

Early season racing with Nibali in Argentina 2016

Bora-Hansgrohe: “We’re terribly sad to hear about Michele Scarponi. A Great rider & person who has been tragically taken from us. Thoughts are with his family!”

Tour of Oman

Lotto Soudal: “The thoughts of the entire Lotto-Soudal team go out to the family and loved ones of Michele Scarponi.”

Team time trial in the 2016 Giro del Trentino

BMC Racing Team: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Michele Scarponi and the entire Astana team. Our thoughts are with you all.”

How to travel in the Astana team bus at the 2016 Giro

Dimension Data: “From all at team Dimension Data, our condolences go out to the family, friends and all at Astana team on the passing of Michele Scarponi. RIP Champ!”

Vuelta a España 2016 with Zeits

Orica-Scott: “Our thoughts are with the friends & family of Michele Scarponi. We are shocked & saddened by the news. RIP”

New bike for 2017, but still with Astana

Cannondale-Drapac: “Horrible news this morning. Our hearts go out to Michele Scarponi’s friends and family, and the entire Astana Team.”

The 2017 Tour of the Alps

AG2R-La Mondiale: All our thoughts go to Michele Scarponi and his family. In memoriam.”

Scarponi’s last win in the Tour of the Alps (ex Giro del Trentino)

Bahrain-Merida: “Your smile will last forever. Ciao Michele Scarponi. Our deepest sorrow to his family and Astana Team from all Team Bahrain-Merida.”

The Astana team at the start of Liège-Bastogne-Liège