Tweets of the Week: Let us smile through our tears

The unpredictability of life is often what is great about it – but that same capriciousness can be unbearably heartbreaking. And so it was on Saturday when Italian cyclist and bon viveur Michele Scarponi was tragically killed in a collision with a truck on a training ride near his home in Italy. Tributes flooded in all weekend and many, after the initial shock of the event, were memories of a man who was full of charm and warmth for everyone he met. Today’s Tweets of the Week remembers Michele with a smile on his face and a parrot on his shoulder …

Always light-hearted

Oggi non cercavo la vittoria ad ogni costo, ma credimi, è venuto tutto semplice Amico mio!Questa vittoria è per Giacomo e Tommi! #CiaoScarpa pic.twitter.com/h7rprCD4T0

— Vincenzo Nibali (@vincenzonibali) April 23, 2017

Michele Scarponi was one of the most loved riders in the peloton@carltonkirby leads the tributes from Eurosport pic.twitter.com/9CceZyenU3

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 22, 2017

.@EuroHoody captures perfectly why I'll miss Scarpa. In an era of big riders with big egos, Scarpa always seemed to just be riding his bike. https://t.co/H4lJjfkp6M

— JP Kellams (@synaesthesiajp) April 22, 2017

Will never forget Scarponi's infectious smile, energy https://t.co/fWRANDtgMP

— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) April 22, 2017

One big family. We will miss Michele Scarponi. His humor & always-being-in-good-mood. Our thoughts go to his family & @AstanaTeam teammates

— Team KATUSHA ALPECIN (@katushacycling) April 22, 2017

@TonyMartinFans It's hard to believe. The one with the big smile

— Fabio Aru Fans (@fabio_aru_fans) April 22, 2017

When Michele touched my leg and was up for a laugh, which seemed to be the case on most days. https://t.co/hfb9cH2zB3

— Dave Smith (@ffflow) April 22, 2017

Cycling lost one of its most gregarious personalities today: Tributes for Michele Scarponi. https://t.co/eLxoMRO9KQ pic.twitter.com/24Jdsa3B1R

— Cyclingnews.com (@Cyclingnewsfeed) April 22, 2017

Beautiful images of Michele Scarponi's last race and win @Tourof_theAlps #RIP | photos: @daebong_kim @Eurosport_UK @EurosportAUS @Eurosport pic.twitter.com/LoUD7Nrre4

— Aaron S. Lee (@aaronshanelee) April 22, 2017

What a terrible news @MicheleScarponi. I'll never forget the times you started singing a song in the middle of peloton. #RIPMichele

— Sep Vanmarcke (@sepvanmarcke) April 22, 2017

Il nostro Mito…RIP @MicheleScarponi pic.twitter.com/n6MB3rR3gj

— grivko andrei (@andrei_007) April 22, 2017

Ero a 10 metri da lui.. #RipScarponi pic.twitter.com/Zs0lVce9ti

— Ciclismo2014 (@Ciclismo_2014) April 22, 2017

His fine-feathered friend, Frankje, would come along on rides with Michele.

RIP Scarponi – I chatted with him over winter about Frankje-always a funny, exuberant presence https://t.co/aWsmfZGe6T

— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) April 22, 2017

Who is Frankje the Macaw? Scarponi's feathered training partner explained | https://t.co/2HZ6qFQ3Tq https://t.co/SjTvIq12U5 via @velonews

— Andrew Hood (@EuroHoody) December 14, 2016

Michele Scarponi may have won the 2011 Giro, but he was perhaps best known for training with his parrot Frankie.

RIP. pic.twitter.com/hCyyosuzs6

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 22, 2017

Why am I so sad about Michele Scarponi's tragic passing? Many reasons- but this is one you should all see:https://t.co/xtdEgS4500

— Rob Larsen (@robreact) April 22, 2017

Frankje attendant son maitre… J'ai jamais vu une image aussi triste de toute ma vie. pic.twitter.com/r4njYJRS9S

— Dans la musette (@DansLaMusette) April 23, 2017

pic.twitter.com/yzVSOpcCmx

— Speed Metal Cycling (@SpeedMetalCycl) April 22, 2017

Poignant tributes

Nibali wins the 2017 Tour of Croatia. More with the heart than his legs. In memoriam Michele Scarponi…#TOC2017 pic.twitter.com/4XaHYuJio4

— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) April 23, 2017

It was not easy to race, but we did it for Michele… #LBL Photo by @bettiniphoto : https://t.co/byifuyLDPf pic.twitter.com/tgjPDOBuf1

— Astana Proteam (@AstanaTeam) April 23, 2017

Silence for #Scarpa Scarponi at #fiorentinainter #RIP #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/u9shkulazf

— Gregor Brown (@gregorbrown) April 22, 2017

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) April 22, 2017

@MicheleScarponi, you were the person who brought team spirit up, made us smile in toughest moments, always thinking positively.

— janibrajkovic (@janibrajkovic) April 22, 2017

We learned of Scarponi's death from NPR headlines at the top of the hour. Even mainstream US media recognizes his importance.

— Contador Notebook (@Contador_Notebk) April 22, 2017

I didn't know you very well but you always showed me respect. RIP @MicheleScarponi and may we all think about his wife and kids #RIPscarponi

— Rohan Dennis (@RohanDennis) April 22, 2017

This thread by James Gordon is just about perfect.

The last word

Scarponi to @Gazzetta_it in 2012: 'Some mornings I get lazy, struggle to get up & dressed. But once I'm on my bike, life feels light again.'

— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) April 22, 2017