Mortirolo awarded Cima Scarponi

The Giro d'Italia has made a special tribute to Michele Scarponi who died last week after being hit by a van while training in Filottrano, Italy his hometown

The organizers of the race that the cyclist won in 2011 wanted to put his name to one of the most mythical ascents of the race, the Mortirolo. The veteran cyclist was due to start his 12th participation in the 'Corsa Rosa' on Friday, where he was always a great protagonist and after his death the race will pay tribute to his memory.

The Mortitolo will be the 'Cima Scarponi' (Scarponi Summit) which will be climbed on the 16th stage of May 23rd, a stagebetween Rovetta and Bormio and the first climb before the Stelvio and Umbrailpass.

The first to reach the top of the mythical climb will get double points in the KOM classification. Scarponi will also be remembered with a minute of silence at the beginning of the first stage and Astana will take the first line of the peloton at the start. In addition, the deceased cyclist will have a final homage at the final podium in Milan, where the winners of all the classifications are celebrated.

"The Giro can not forget a great champion, a great friend and a great man who would have played his 12th pink race this year. We will honor him with one of the symbolic ascents of the competition: the Mortirolo," reads the statement sent by the Italian race to the media.