Tragic death: popular cycling parrot Franky reunited with Michele Scarponi in heaven
Franky the parrot is no longer with us. The blue-yellow macaw gained fame as the training partner of Michele Scarponi, who died in 2017 after being hit during one of his training rides. In recent years, several videos surfaced of other pro riders training nearby, with Franky accompanying them during their rides - or even in races - around Filottrano.
During training rides, the large parrot would land on Scarponi’s back and was often seen nibbling on his helmet. These images circulated worldwide at the time. A remarkable photo also shows Franky perched on a traffic sign, right below the sea of flowers at the spot where Scarponi lost his life, as if paying a final tribute to his cycling companion.
#CiaoMichele, Frankie is here to say goodbye too. Forever close.#Scarponi pic.twitter.com/UXGVz0No6G
— Onorio Ferraro (@onorioferraro) April 23, 2017
The foundation established after Scarponi’s death, which launched many initiatives in memory of the Italian, announced that the parrot tragically died on Thursday night. "Today we say goodbye to Franky for the last time. She died in a fire at the factory where she lived. It is a loss that deeply affects us. Now they fly together again: Franky and Michele. A big hug to Giacomo, who introduced us to Franky and witnessed all his sacrifices being destroyed during the fire that consumed his warehouse, where little Franky also lived."
No change needed.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/hCyyosuzs6
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) April 22, 2017
