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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@razmaspaz
As a medically diagnosed offense, I find your use of the word offensive offensive.
@frank
Could not the same be said of a certain Texan ?
The reason, I believe, that we feel differently about Pantani is because of his humanity and his failings. He was an artisan and wore his heart on his sleeve. It may well be a double standard but i think it's that he embodied all that we find romantic about the sport in the exact same way that certain said texan could never ever do.
@paolo
Absolutely, and I am not / was not in support of stripping his titles. I am, no the other hand, glad the truth is out about him - but that's mostly because he's such a fucking asshole, not because of his doping.
Very well put.
@ChrisO
I got it!
@Marcus
You fuck. You are the one person who makes me burst out laughing here, consistently, as my wife stares at me from across the room.
Pantani was the master of the Three Point System and perching sunglasses up on that noggin of his. Masterclass in Looking Fantastic.
That was one good thing of the EPO Era; the riders were so juiced, they could allot a proper amount of energy to aesthetics.
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Also, he was hands-down the best-looking Yellow Jersey in ages, with his team kit and bike setup matching it beautifully.
Another master of Looking Fantastic and in the "I don't care he was doping" club. Der Kaiser.
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Look at those canons!
@frank Frank VanDB looks pretty good next to Der Kaiser, but he was a VERY naughty boy
@frank
FAAAARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lay down that much power and the EPO comes straight back through the pores. oVerdose.
His jaw is even flexing the sides of his helmet.
Yeah we need a few more pics of Der Kaiser earlier in the season, beer belly proudly still in place. A true Velominati, I suspect....
VDB was a master of style on the bike in my less than humble opinion. He was even able to look awesome despite bleach blond hair and a Rule #50 breaking goatee. In fact, I think he looked so fucking awesome that I think Rule #50 should have a VDB exception.