Michele Scarponi facts for kids

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Michele Scarponi

Scarponi at the 2014 Tour de San Luis
Personal information
Full name	Michele Scarponi
Nickname	L'Aquila di Filottrano English: The Eagle of Filottrano
Born	(1979-09-25)25 September 1979 Jesi, Marche, Italy
Died	22 April 2017(2017-04-22) (aged 37) Filottrano, Marche, Italy
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	63 kg (139 lb)
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Climbing specialist Domestique
Major wins
Grand Tours Giro d'Italia General classification (2011) Points classification (2011) 3 individual stages (2009, 2010) Stage races Tirreno–Adriatico (2009) Volta a Catalunya (2011) Giro del Trentino (2011)

Michele Scarponi (born 25 September 1979 – died 22 April 2017) was a famous Italian road bicycle racer. He rode professionally from 2002 until his death in 2017. Scarponi was known for his climbing skills and for being a great teammate. He won 21 professional races during his career.

Scarponi started cycling when he was just eight years old. He joined a local team in the Marche region of Italy. In 1997, he became the junior national road race champion. After four years as an amateur, he became a professional cyclist in 2002. For most of his career, Scarponi rode for Italian teams. He also spent two years with a Spanish team, Liberty Seguros–Würth, where he helped his team leader, Roberto Heras.

After some time away from racing, Scarponi returned in 2009. He won a stage and the overall title at Tirreno–Adriatico. He also won two stages at the Giro d'Italia. In 2010, he led his team at the 2010 Giro d'Italia, finishing fourth overall and winning another stage. From 2011 to 2013, he rode for the Lampre–ISD team. In 2011, he won the Giro del Trentino. He also finished second at the Volta a Catalunya and the Giro d'Italia. Later, the winner of those races was disqualified, and Scarponi was given both victories. He finished fourth overall at the Giro d'Italia in both 2012 and 2013. From 2014 until his death, Scarponi rode for the Astana team. He often helped his teammates, like Vincenzo Nibali and Fabio Aru, win big races. His last individual victory was in the 2017 Tour of the Alps.

During his career, Scarponi faced suspensions related to doping. In 2006, he was involved in a case that led to him being banned from racing until August 2008. Later, in 2012, he received another three-month ban for working with a doctor linked to doping.

Early Life and Amateur Cycling

Scarponi was born on 25 September 1979 in Iesi, Italy. He grew up in Filottrano with his brother Marco and sister Silvia. His first bicycle was a gift for his First Communion. He joined a local cycling club called Pieralisi when he was eight. He quickly started winning races.

In 1997, at age 17, he became the junior national road race champion. He then joined the national team for the 1997 UCI Road World Championships in Spain. In 2001, as an amateur, he finished second in the Giro del Belvedere race. He also won a stage and came second overall in the Giro delle Regioni. In October 2001, he finished eighth in the under-23 time trial at the 2001 UCI Road World Championships in Portugal.

Professional Cycling Career

Starting Out: 2002–2004

Scarponi became a professional cyclist in 2002 with the Acqua & Sapone–Cantina Tollo team. He won his first professional race stage at the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda. He also made his debut in a Grand Tour, finishing 18th at the 2002 Giro d'Italia.

In 2003, Scarponi joined the Domina Vacanze–Elitron team. He won a stage at the Giro d'Abruzzo. He also had strong finishes in important one-day races like Liège–Bastogne–Liège (fourth place). He finished 16th at the 2003 Giro d'Italia and 13th at the 2003 Vuelta a España.

The 2004 season was strong for Scarponi. He won the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda with two stage wins. He also won the Peace Race, a stage race, and a stage there. He finished second at the Tour of Austria. Scarponi rode in the 2004 Tour de France for the first time, finishing 32nd overall.

Spanish Team and Challenges: 2005–2007

Scarponi riding for Liberty Seguros–Würth at the 2005 Giro d'Italia

In 2005, Scarponi moved to the Spanish Liberty Seguros–Würth team. He didn't win any races that year. He finished 12th at the 2005 Vuelta a España, mostly helping his team leader. In 2006, Scarponi was involved in a doping investigation. This affected his racing, and he didn't finish the 2006 Giro d'Italia. His team later closed down.

In 2007, Scarponi signed with Acqua & Sapone–Caffè Mokambo. He won a stage and the overall title at the Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali. He also finished second at the Giro del Trentino. However, he was again involved in the doping investigation. He admitted his involvement and was banned from racing until August 2008.

Return to Racing: 2008–2010

After his ban, Scarponi joined Diquigiovanni–Androni in 2008. In 2009, he had a great season. He won a stage and the overall title at Tirreno–Adriatico. He also won two stages at the 2009 Giro d'Italia, showing his strength in breakaways. He finished 31st overall in that Giro.

Scarponi's fourth overall at the 2010 Giro d'Italia was his first top-ten finish in a Grand Tour.

In 2010, Scarponi aimed to win Tirreno–Adriatico again. He won a stage and led the race for a time, but finished second overall. He then won the Settimana Ciclistica Lombarda. Scarponi led his team at the 2010 Giro d'Italia for the first time. He won a tough mountain stage and finished fourth overall, his best Grand Tour result at that point. He also finished second at the Giro di Lombardia.

Big Wins and Challenges: 2011–2013

In 2011, Scarponi moved to Lampre–ISD. He won a stage at the Giro di Sardegna. He also won a stage and the points classification at Tirreno–Adriatico, finishing third overall. He had his best result at Milan–San Remo, finishing sixth.

Scarponi at the 2011 Giro d'Italia, where he was later awarded the victory.

Scarponi won the Giro del Trentino. He then finished second at both the Volta a Catalunya and the Giro d'Italia. However, the original winner, Alberto Contador, was later disqualified. This meant Scarponi was officially given the victories for both the 2011 Volta a Catalunya and the 2011 Giro d'Italia, including the points classification in the Giro.

Scarponi before the start of a stage at the 2012 Giro d'Italia.

In 2012, Scarponi aimed to defend his Giro d'Italia title. He finished seventh at Tirreno–Adriatico and eighth at Tour of the Basque Country. At the 2012 Giro d'Italia, he finished fourth overall, just missing the podium. He also rode in the 2012 Tour de France, finishing 24th. In November 2012, Scarponi was temporarily suspended by his team. This was because he admitted to working with a doctor linked to doping. He received a three-month ban and a fine.

Scarponi (right) on the podium at the 2013 Volta a Catalunya, where he finished third.

Scarponi returned to racing in February 2013. He finished third overall at the Volta a Catalunya. He also finished fifth at Liège–Bastogne–Liège. At the 2013 Giro d'Italia, he again led his team and finished fourth overall. He finished second in the Italian National Road Race Championships. Later in the year, he won the Gran Premio della Costa Etruschi, his first individual win since his 2011 Giro d'Italia victory. He finished 16th at the 2013 UCI Road World Championships.

Astana Team and Support Role: 2014–2017

Scarponi (right) at the 2014 Tour de France, helping his teammate Vincenzo Nibali win the race.

In 2014, Scarponi joined the Astana team. He was initially the team leader for the 2014 Giro d'Italia. However, after some crashes and losing time, he started helping his teammate Fabio Aru. Scarponi later withdrew from the race. He then played a key role in helping Vincenzo Nibali win the 2014 Tour de France.

In 2015, Scarponi continued to support Nibali. He finished sixth overall at the Tour of the Basque Country. He also finished second overall at the Vuelta a Burgos, helping his team win the team time trial.

In 2016, Scarponi again helped Nibali win the 2016 Giro d'Italia. He was a crucial teammate, especially in the mountains. He also led his team at the 2016 Vuelta a España, finishing 11th overall.

Scarponi started the 2017 season strong. He finished 15th overall at Tirreno–Adriatico. At the 2017 Tour of the Alps, he won the first stage, his first individual victory in over three years. He finished fourth overall in that race.

Death

On 22 April 2017, the day after finishing the Tour of the Alps, Scarponi was on a training ride near his home in Filottrano, Italy. He was preparing to lead the Astana team at the 2017 Giro d'Italia. Around 8:00 AM local time, he was hit by a van at a road junction. The driver of the van said he did not see Scarponi. Scarponi died from his injuries.

After his death, many tributes were made to Scarponi. Cyclists wore black armbands and observed minutes of silence at races. Alejandro Valverde, a fellow cyclist, dedicated his win at Liège–Bastogne–Liège to Scarponi and gave his prize money to Scarponi's family. Vincenzo Nibali, a close friend and teammate, dedicated his victory at the Tour of Croatia to Scarponi.

Scarponi's funeral took place on 25 April at Filottrano's football stadium. About 5,000 people attended. The 2017 Giro d'Italia honored him by dedicating a climb, the Mortirolo Pass, to him. In 2018, a stage of Tirreno–Adriatico finished in his hometown of Filottrano. In 2022, a mural of his pet parrot, who often joined him on training rides, was unveiled at the site of his death.

Personal Life

Scarponi was married to Anna Tommasi. They had twin boys named Giacomo and Tommaso.

Major Results

Source:

General Classification Results Timeline

Source:

Grand Tour General Classification Results
Grand Tour	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Giro d'Italia	18	16	—	47	DNF	—	—	32	4	1	4	4	DNF	—	16	—
Tour de France	—	—	32	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	24	—	49	41	—	—
/ Vuelta a España	—	13	—	12	—	—	—	—	—	DNF	—	15	—	—	11	—
Major Stage Race General Classification Results
Race	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Paris–Nice	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	30	—	—	—	—
/ Tirreno–Adriatico	—	—	—	60	57	9	—	1	2	3	7	—	9	23	DNF	15
Volta a Catalunya	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	3	—	—	—	—
Tour of the Basque Country	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	8	—	—	6	—	—
Tour de Romandie	—	—	—	—	66	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	11	—	—
Critérium du Dauphiné	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	27	—	—
Tour de Suisse	—	—	—	—	40	—	—	—	—	—	—	21	—	—	27	—

Monuments Results Timeline

Source:

See also

In Spanish: Michele Scarponi para niños