‘One of the nicest guys you could ever meet’ – The cycling world pays tribute to Michele Scarponi

The cycling world paid tribute to Michele Scarponi on Saturday after the Italian was killed in a road accident aged 37.

Scarponi was due to lead his Astana team at this year’s Giro d’Italia in the wake of Fabio Aru’s injury. He won the opening stage at the Tour of the Alps on Monday and wore the race leader’s jersey for a day.

Mark Cavendish called Scarponi “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet” as a flood of messages were posted on social media.

Absolutely devastating to see the tragic news about @MicheleScarponi . One of the nicest guys you could ever meet. RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/hJrx4hgdoE

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) 22 aprilie 2017

Non lo so , non c'è la faccio ! Non ho parole amico mio…

— Vincenzo Nibali (@vincenzonibali) 22 aprilie 2017

Tragedia infinita. Non esistono parole. Riposa in pace Amico mio.

— Fabio Aru (@FabioAru1) 22 aprilie 2017

Sin palabras. Se marcha una gran persona y un gran ciclista. DEP Michele Scarponi.

— alejandro valverde (@alejanvalverde) 22 aprilie 2017

Devastated to hear the news about Scarponi. Can't believe it. My thoughts with all his friends, family and team

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) 22 aprilie 2017

We will miss this guy in the peleton, always with a smile ?! RIP @MicheleScarponi https://t.co/KrJFx3MD63

— Greg Van Avermaet (@GregVanAvermaet) 22 aprilie 2017

Really tragic to hear, all my thoughts are with his family! RIP #Scarponi https://t.co/65wGZhroeO

— Steven Kruijswijk (@s_kruijswijk) 22 aprilie 2017

Día triste para el ciclismo, se va un gran ciclista y la alegría del grupo, descansa en paz Scarpa. @AstanaTeam pic.twitter.com/j4p1tZd3NU

— NairoQuinCo (@NairoQuinCo) 22 aprilie 2017

Paralizado y sin palabras ante la noticia sobre el atropello a Scarponi,gran persona y siempre  con una sonrisa contagiosa.D.E.P amigo.

— Alberto Contador (@albertocontador) 22 aprilie 2017