Veteran Cyclist, Michele Scarponi dies in road accident

According to 'Astana' his official racing team, veteran Italian cyclist Michele Scarponi has died after being hit by a van while training on his bike. The fatal crash happened on a crossroad near his home in central Italy on Saturday, April 22, 2017 with Team Astana paying tribute to the 37-year-old, who won the Giro d'Italia in 2011.

According to reports, Scarponi died on the spot and was unable to be revived by emergency services which arrived promptly.

His team statement reads
"This is a tragedy too big to be written. We left a great champion and a special guy, always smiling in every situation, he was a real mile stone and a landmark for everyone in the Astana Pro Team".
Scarponi leaves behind a wife and twin sons.