Former Giro winner Scarponi dies after being hit by a van

FILE - In this May 24, 2014 file photo, Italy's Michele Scarponi smiles at the start of the 14th stage the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, from Aglie' to Oropa, Italy. Scarponi died Saturday, April 22, 2017 after being hit by a van during training in Filottrano, central Italy. (AP Photo/Gian Mattia D'Alberto, files) FILE - In this May 24, 2014 file photo, Italy's Michele Scarponi smiles at the start of the 14th stage the Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, from Aglie' to Oropa, Italy. Scarponi died Saturday, April 22, 2017 after being hit by a van during training in Filottrano, central Italy. (AP Photo/Gian Mattia D'Alberto, files)

By Associated Press April 22, 2017 1 min read

ANCONA, Italy (AP) – Michele Scarponi, who won the Giro d’Italia in 2011, has died after being hit by a van while training. He was 37.

Scarponi was training near his home of Filottrano, near Ancona, on Saturday morning when the Astana cyclist was hit by a van at a crossroad.

Team Astana says: “We left a great champion and a special guy, always smiling in every situation, he was a real mile stone and a landmark for everyone in the Astana Pro Team.”

Scarponi was awarded the 2011 Giro trophy after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title.

He leaves behind a wife and two twin sons.