Marco Pantani (pronounced [ˈmarko panˈtani]; 13 January 1970 – 14 February 2004) was an Italian road racing cyclist, widely considered one of the best climbers of his era in professional road bicycle racing. He won both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia in 1998, being the sixth Italian after Ottavio Bottecchia, Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi and Gastone Nencini to win the Tour de France. He is the last cyclist to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year.His attacking style and aggressive riding turned him into a fan favorite in the late 1990s. He was known as 'Il Pirata' because of his shaved head and the bandana and earrings he always wore. At 1.72 m and 57 kg, Marco Pantani had the classic build for a mountain climber. His style contrasted with that of time-trialling experts such as the five-times Tour winner Miguel Indurain.Although he never tested positive during his career, his career was beset by doping allegations. In the 1999 Giro d'Italia, he was expelled due to his irregular blood values. Although he was disqualified for "health reasons", it was implied that Pantani's high haematocrit was the product of EPO use. Following later accusations, Pantani went into a depression from which he never fully recovered. He died of acute cocaine poisoning in 2004.
"My mother was there on the last kilometre today. She was with me during the bad times and I dedicate this day to her." - celebrating his last mountain victory in the Tour de France, July 2000.
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Fact
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Doctor who carried out the autopsy reached the conclusion that Pantani died after an acute intoxication of cocaine which caused an edema in the brain and lungs. [March 2004]
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Known as one of the greatest climbers in the history of cycling.
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Turned pro in 1992.
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Part of a small group of cyclists to win the Tour de France and the Giro D'Italia, two of cycling's biggest races, in the same year (1998).
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He was nicknamed "Il Pirata" or "The Pirate" because of his shaved head, bandana, and earring he always wore.
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Came back and finished a respectable 14th in the 2003 Giro d'Italia, but entered a severe depression after his Mercatone Uno team was not invited to compete in the 100th Tour de France. In late June 2003 he checked into a psychiatric clinic to treat his depression and drug use.
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Under investigation by Italian magistrates, he spent the last few years attempting to clear his name and regain his form.
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Won both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia in 1998.
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Italian cyclist, regarded as the best climber in professional cycling of his generation.
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Won of Stage 12 of the Tour de France, climbing the summit of Mont Ventoux ahead of American Lance Armstrong. Armstrong was later critized when he said he "let" Pantani win the stage. It would be the last win of Pantani's career. (13 July 2000)
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In 1999, he was disqualified from the Giro d'Italia, which he was leading, when he failed a blood haematocrit test. In 2000, he was found guilty of "sporting fraud" after tests showed use of illegal performance-enhancing products. He was fined and banned from competing for six months.
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In 1998, Pantani became the last cyclist to win both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia in the same season. He was the first Italian to win the Tour de France since Felice Gimondi in 1965.
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