Thousands expected to attend Michele Scarponi's funeral on Tuesday

Michele Scarponi's funeral service is expected to be attended by seven thousand mourners on Tuesday, April 25, and will be hosted in a football stadium in his hometown of Filottrano.

Scarponi was hit by a van while on a training ride near his home on Saturday morning, and died of his injuries at the scene.

He had just finished racing in the Tour of the Alps, where he won a stage, and was due to start training for the Giro d'Italia on Sunday, where he was to lead Team Astana in May.

The well-liked 37-year-old's death sent shockwaves through the sport, with universal grief and sadness.

>>> Michele Scarponi, 1979-2017: a ‘devastating and sad loss’ to the cycling world

On Sunday morning, riders taking part in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in Belgium applauded Scarponi for a minute prior to the start as a tribute. His Astana team-mates then led the peloton through the neutral zone before the racing commenced.

Liège winner Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) dedicated the win to Scarponi, and will donate all his race winnings to Scarponi's wife, Anna, and twin sons, Tommaso and Giacomo.

Tuesday's funeral service will be officiated by Cardinal of Ancona, Edoardo Menichelli, at 3.30pm with Scarponi's team-mates and friends Fabio Aru and Vincenzo Nibali among those attending, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. Nibali dedicated his victory in the Tour of Croatia to Scarponi on Sunday.

Representatives from Italy's national sporting bodies and his former teams will also attend, including the Italian cycling president and the Italian National Olympic Committee president. They will be joined by family, friends and fans.

Prior to the funeral, thousands have already paid their respects to Scarponi in a chapel of rest.