Giro d’Italia dedicates Mortirolo climb to ‘great champion’ Michele Scarponi
Passo del Mortirolo climb to be dedicated to Michele Scarponi, who died after a collision with a van during a training ride on April 22
Michele Scarponi will be remembered by the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia, with a number of tributes and dedications to the Italian rider, who died on April 22 aged 37.
The Passo del Mortirolo climb on stage 16 (May 23) will be dedicated to Scarponi. The famous ascent played a part in Scarponi’s last stage victory in the Giro, during the 2010 race. Scarponi out-sprinted Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali to take the win in Aprica after the three had formed a lead group on the Mortirolo.
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Double king of the mountains points will be awarded to the first rider to crest the climb in this year’s race.
Scarponi lost his life after being hit by a van while out training on Saturday, April 22. He was due to lead the Astana team at the 2017 Giro.
Michele Scarponi battles with Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali on the Passo del Mortirolo during stage 19 of the 2010 Giro d’Italia. Photo: Yuzuru Sunada
Giro organiser RCS Sport said that Astana will appear on stage first during the team presentation on Thursday, May 4.
The peloton will observe a minute’s silence before the following day’s opening stage from Alghero, Sardinia. Astana will then lead the race through the neutralised zone.
Profile of the Passo del Mortirolo climb, Giro d’Italia 2017. Image: RCS Sport
Scarponi will also be remembered on the final podium when the race concludes in Milan on May 28.
“The Giro d’Italia can’t forget a great champion, a big friend and a great man who was set to take part in the Corsa Rosa for the 12th time this year,” read a statement issued by RCS Sport on Tuesday.
“Therefore, a tribute will be paid to him with one of the iconic climbs of this year’s race dedicated to him: the Mortirolo”.