Just heard. Terrible. RIP

http://www.n-tv.de/19804494

Oh man, that really sucks for his family and teammates. It is a hazard of our sport, doing it on open roads with traffic, but it feels like it hits closer to home when its a pro cyclist vs a random person on a bike

I met Michele in December. Super nice guy. He had a certain "joie de vivre". All the other guys seemed burned out by there multi hour long rides but Michele was laughing, smiling, easy to chit chat with.

Seeing the camaraderie amongst the riders I suspect it will be really tough times for a few of them. But my heart fell when I saw the pic of him and his two young children.

RIP Michele.

Honestly whenever this happens it gives me reservations about riding on the road. I mean I know the odds of it happening to someone are pretty low but still. Obviously it was Michele's profession so he had to but for us recreationalists it gives pause.

Terrible news, watching Eurosport now, I know the sport goes on and these guys are professionals but it just brings it home the danger on our roads is always there.

Be safe all.

This photo was taken last night, really hits home with 2 little boys of my own.

 
terrible. young kids, career looking to wind down on a high having just won a stage of trentino too, set to lead giro.

i hope this was truly an accident and not assault. (texting/drunk/etc)

adktriguy46 wrote:

Honestly whenever this happens it gives me reservations about riding on the road. I mean I know the odds of it happening to someone are pretty low but still. Obviously it was Michele's profession so he had to but for us recreationalists it gives pause.

I don't recall the last time a pro cyclist or pro triathlete was killed in a traffic accident. Several age group athletes in both sports have died recently in crashes but I am going with the odds being low. I have a 50% change of dying from either heart disease or cancer anyway (as do most of you)....so ride on friends. RIP Scarponi.

Nice article by Andrew Hood over at Velonews:

http://www.velonews.com/...mile-scarponi_436120

The average age of death by cancer and heart disease is typically over 70 in first-world countries. And that's average population, not endurance athletes. Scarponi was 37.

Some years ago here in Seattle a woman was hit by a commercial truck and killed right outside of my office. Watching the body laying there under a white blanket really made me rethink where and how I biked.

Anyone lost in traffic is nothing but sad.

Last Spring the entire Alpecin-Giant world tour team almost bought the farm due to head-on impact with a tourist driving on wrong side of road. Took out the entire group and did not brake..