Sports - Marco Pantani found dead...

**Nele** · 02-15-2004, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Pantani found dead

Italian cycling star Marco Pantani has been found dead in a hotel in Rimini.
The 34-year-old climbing specialist, nicknamed "The Pirate", won the 1998 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.

But his career was blighted by doping allegations after he was thrown out of the 1999 Giro d'Italia for failing a blood test.

"I'm devastated, it's a tragedy of enormous proportions for the entire cycling world," said fellow cyclist Mario Cipollini.

The cause of death was not immediately apparent.

But Italian news agency Ansa said Pantani was found lying on his back, with medication found in the room.

The coach of the Italian national cycling team Franco Ballerini said: "It's something that is so huge, it doesn't seem true."

Pantani, who spent the last few years fighting for his reputation, last raced in the 2003 Giro, finishing 14th.

But soon after he entered a health clinic specialising in the treatment of depression and drug addiction.

Pantani was the first Italian to win the Tour de France, cycling's premier race, since Felice Gimondi in 1965.

Gimondi, who coached Pantani for two years, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am shocked and traumatised.

"Marco has paid a very dear price for everything. For years he was in the eye of the cycling storm after being world number one.

"He then withdrew into himself. He was alone."

Pantani was also the last man to win the race before American Lance Armstrong embarked on a record-equalling five straight victories.

But his career went into free-fall when he was ejected from the 1999 Giro while in the lead after failing a test for haematocrit - an indicator, though not proof, of the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Scandal followed Pantani, and during the 2001 Giro a syringe containing traces of insulin was found in his hotel room in a police raid.

Pantani insisted the syringe had been planted and that he did not stay in the room on the night in question.

A court dismissed his claim for lack of proof, and he was suspended for six months but he was acquitted of sporting fraud in October last year.

Pantani's team Mercatone Uno were not invited to take part in the centenary Tour de France last year.

Pantani, who was also third in the Tour in 1994 and 1997, began his career with the Carrera team.

MARCO PANTANI FACT FILE
1970: Born on 13 Jan in Cesena, Italy
1992: Makes professional debut
1995: Bronze in World Championships
1998: Won Giro d'Italia and Tour de France
1999: Thrown out of Giro for failing blood test
2001: Syringe of insulin found in Pantani's room during Giro
2002: Banned for eight months but wins appeal
2003: Spends year battling for reputation in court. June - books into clinic for depression and drug use. October - acquitted of sporting fraud

Article from the bbc.

I'm really sad to hear about this [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img], I really liked him!

*Laretta* · 02-15-2004, 04:03 AM

I am proud of being your fan...
Thank you Marco...Italy love you...

ciao

Avatar · 02-16-2004, 03:10 AM

This saddens me ... I'm not a big cycling fan, but I watch the Tour de France when I get the chance, and Pantati always was a character. While he may have made some bad decisions, but he hardly was the picture of all that was wrong with the cycling sport - they cycling powers-that-be just needed a scrapegoat, and they found Pantani.

+Sarah+ · 02-16-2004, 11:33 AM

I read that in today's newspaper. I've never really followed cycling, but it saddens me to have them lost such a great character in sports as the guy [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] RIP.

²Jens · 02-16-2004, 12:51 PM

The cycling sport lost a great character. Rest in Peace "Il Pirata" Marco Pantani! [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]