Thousands pay their respects to Scarponi

People came from all over came to pay their last respects to Michele Scarponi

In Filottrano, in the province of Ancona, Italy, people of all ages, friends and family, along with sports and fans wanted to pay their last respects to the cyclist who died Saturday morning, hit by a truck while training in Filottrano. 

Even Marco Pantani's parents visited and joined the parents of Michele for a prayer. Mamma Tonina recalled Scarponi with tears in her eyes: "I met him recently, in October, at a party in Cesenatico. I had a long talk with him and his family, he was a very nice person"

Around five thousands mourners attended the funeral of cyclist Michele Scarponi in his home town of Filottrano on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old was killed when he was hit by a van close to his home during a training ride on Saturday, just days after he had finished fourth overall in the Tour of the Alps

Members of Scarponi's Astana team, led by Fabio Aru, were joined by others including former team-mate Vincenzo Nibali and world champion Peter Sagan at his funeral.

Gazzetta dello Sport, which streamed the service live, also reported that Italian Cycling Federation president Renato Di Rocco and Bahrain-Merida rider Enrico Gasparotto, who withdrew from this week's Tour de Romandie in order to attend, were present, as well as former Inter Milan and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, a friend and occasional training partner of Scarponi's.

There was loud applause as Scarponi's coffin was carried into the town's football stadium, where a mass was held before Scarponi's body was taken to a nearby cemetery.