We continue our Six Days of the Giro series with a look at the troubled bond between Marco Pantani and the Giro.
Some were meant to be tormented, as though it were preordained that their brilliance should be balanced with fatal flaws. These are tortured souls, whose dramatic highs are equalled only by the devastating depths of their lows.
Cycling drinks its fill of these personalities, and climbing seems to attract more than its fair share. Shakespeare himself couldn’t divine a better premise; the discipline most focussed on suffering in a sport totally focussed on suffering will always attract the most enigmatic of sorts. Charley Gaul, José MarÃa Jiménez, Marco Pantani; the list goes on.
Italy’s geography seems to lend itself to climbing and therefor suffering. There are mountains from north to south, and it being a narrow stip of a country, there is no occasion to avoid them for very long before any parcourse is once again forced to go over them. Already Monday’s Stage 3 of this year’s race is a lumpy thing with two categorized climbs and Stage 4 has an uphill finish. This will be a race for those able to suffer.
Pantani in particular seemed inextricably bound to the Giro. Even before winning in 1998, he found himself winning some of the hardest mountain stages, though his temperament dictated that for every great day on the bike, he would be pay at least V bad ones. In 1999, he looked to be the sure winner before registerring a hematocrit over the UCI 50% limit at Madonna di Campiglio. In 2000, he returned once again, but was far from his best and rode in support of his teammate and eventual winner, Stefano Garzelli.
He struggled on for a few more years, but always tried to shine in Italy. In 2003, in a heart-wrenching display of defiance, he gave the last of himself in vain before disappearing from the sport for good.
It reminds me of a song written by a man who’s life was similarly tormented, Layne Staley. Perhaps Layne and Pantani were two parts of the same whole.
My pain is self-chosen
At least, so the prophet says
– Layne Stayey, River of Deceit
Maybe Layne could have been a Cyclist in another life.
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@ChrisO
You mean like this?
Bah, I suck at the internet.
@ChrisO Son and step-son to two cyclists, and that TCR was always a bit too big on my step-dad anyhow. He bought the team edition frame as soon as it debuted, but chose to dress it in his preferred Grouppo and matching Nucleon wheelset.
@tessar
When I worked at T-Mobile a few years back, this lady had one of Dede Demet-Barry's bike in her office. It looked just like that one.
Not to mention that the bike belonged to Dede. Massive crush time.
@frank
This is the fuck'in post of the last five months. Awesome description and pic for the first photo and just look at Der Kaiser's face in the second pic: Jeeezhus, looks like he just went 15 rounds with Ali.
Good to have you back, Frank! Hopefully with the book off to press you'll be able to devote some more time to your internet baby.
@frank No shit! And Steamy just had a Cogal where she happened to show up! Oh the pain!!!!
@doubleR
I've heard that about him as well - very cool. Those guys are real talent, though their music isn't for everyone. The VMH likens listening to one of their albums to beating your head against the wall for three minutes ten times in a row.
They lived in Seattle until recently, and I love that Jerry wrote a song called "Check My Brain" for moving to Cali and - ahem - liking it.
Their new stuff isn't bad, actually, if you can get over Layne not being there.
I got a G&L because Jerry played one - still have it today.
@Marcus
Great point, I should really disinfect my screen.
@TBONE
Especially because Ullrich and Klöden referred to eachother as Ulli and Klödi. If its good enough for Ulli, it's good enough for me.
@Buck Rogers
Here you go... Newsbiscuit
http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2011/06/13/dam-busters-dog-renamed-cuntface-for-movie-remake/
And now if anyone using my laptop is searching for information about, oh I don't know, the war between Stephen and Matilda then Google will suggest 'Stephen Fry Cuntface' to them as a starting point.