Marco Pantani?

[Ryo Hazuki]

I never saw him race live either, but thanks to CT and youtube, I've managed to see some of what he was capable of. And I think I understand why he was such a cult figure. As others have said, he brought some flair and spontaneity to the sport during an era where it was being dominated by measured, calculated efforts. I guess he was the Vinokourov of his time (or more accurately, Vino was the Pantani of the 2000s).

it was something extraordinary. you would sit in front of the tv and thank god no helmets still, and you were wondering how long will pantani keep his bandana on? because if he would throw away his bandana it meant he was going to attack. my god something as thrilling as that we will never see again. he was the reason I got into cycling in 1995. it was something even a hater of cycling(me at that time) couldn't help but be in awe of. him and the colombians that tour like buenahora.

 

[hrotha]

I remember the 1995 Tour de Suisse, first time I saw him with his head clean shaven. For some reason I thought he looked like a chicken, so for me Pantani was always El Pollo. I found it hilarious at the time.

PS: I was a wee lad, k.

 

[movingtarget]

this is the road racing section, if you want to talk about doping simply take it to the clinic

posts have been deleted

The whole thread should be in the clinic.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

The whole thread should be in the clinic.

nope

.....

 

[Alphabet]

The whole thread should be in the clinic.

Why? He tested positive in his career, and he's now sadly deceased. What is new, clinic-wise to discuss about him, given those two caveats? This thread should just be appreciation for Pantani and people sharing their experiences watching him.

 

[SafeBet]

The whole thread should be in the clinic.

Mods beg to differ, apparently.

 

[ultimobici]

Mods beg to differ, apparently.

Probably due to not testing positive!

RIP Il Pirata!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why? He tested positive in his career, and he's now sadly deceased. What is new, clinic-wise to discuss about him, given those two caveats? This thread should just be appreciation for Pantani and people sharing their experiences watching him.

he never tested positive, he tested with a hematocrite of 50%, while gotti had an even higher one and was allowed to win the giro...

if we start an erik dekker thread it's also not filled with clinic ****

 

[hrotha]

Guys, you can separate the Clinic bits from the other stuff - otherwise virtually everything would have to go in the Clinic. Just share your childhood memories of Pantani and shut up.

 

[Carols]

Just share your childhood memories of Pantani and shut up.

I wasn't a child, I was in my mid 40s and his exploits made me happy to be a cycling fan since birth. He had me leaping out of my chair screaming 'Il Pirata Attacks'. He made my Spirit Soar with every pedal stroke He is one for the Ages.

Even now in the winter on rollers I watch dvds of him in the Giro and Tour (1994-1999) and he makes my heart sing and the legs keep turning.

 

[Parrulo]

Guys, you can separate the Clinic bits from the other stuff - otherwise virtually everything would have to go in the Clinic. Just share your childhood memories of Pantani and shut up.

^^this

unfortunately i don't have many memories of pantani, the only performance i watched on TV live was on ventoux and i was 10 back then

i remember how some older friends talked about him like if he was god and regarded him as the best climber in the world.

 

[sublimit]

Less believable than Virenque, more believable than Chiappucci.

Ricco v Pantani would of been a good head to head.

 

[jens_attacks]

Less believable than Virenque, more believable than Chiappucci.

Ricco v Pantani would of been a good head to head.

you have to wait until 2100ish or something.always said that the races of the clones will be the best racing yet. clone all the best racers of mankind history and make a tour de france with them. those generations of fans will be some lucky baztards.

merckx vs coppi vs hinault vs indurain vs armstrong vs pantani vs gaul vs bahamontes vs ricco vs contador vs ocana vs bartali......

imagine how many polls of cyclingnews forum will be answered then

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

I uploaded lots of docu's of Pantani on a site, do not know if it is allowed to put here, mods?

But nice to read Ryo is a real keen cycling follower of cycling SINCE 1995. Missed the Mortirolo stage of 1994? Too bad man, historic footage. And, nice to see live.

 

[sublimit]

you have to wait until 2100ish or something.always said that the races of the clones will be the best racing yet. clone all the best racers of mankind history and make a tour de france with them. those generations of fans will be some lucky baztards.

merckx vs coppi vs hinault vs indurain vs armstrong vs pantani vs gaul vs bahamontes vs ricco vs contador vs ocana vs bartali......

imagine how many polls of cyclingnews forum will be answered then

A cloned Vinokourov v Schumacher long ITT would be good. With medics on hand just in case of complications.

Canc would win the battle of the polls.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

http://cyclingtorrents.nl/browse.php?search=tutto+pantani&_by=0&cat=0&incldead=0&language=0

 

[jens_attacks]

also on youtube:


http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...9.1405.2j8j0j1.11.0...0.0...1ac.1.OqUAZlB_Qrg


tutto pantani is one of the best things i ever watched

grandissimo piratta!

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Almost 9 years ago. Tomorrow it will be.

Murderded by, well, that is for the clinic.

Sad to think of what Marco was thinking those days.

RIP amice, L'Imperatore del Mortirolo

 

[SafeBet]

also on youtube:


http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...9.1405.2j8j0j1.11.0...0.0...1ac.1.OqUAZlB_Qrg


tutto pantani is one of the best things i ever watched

grandissimo piratta!

Wonderful.
Tomorrow I'll have an off day

 

[MartinGT]

RIP Panta, thanks for making me love cycling

 

[TeoSheva]

Like every February 14th the first thought can not that be for Him

Has not been born yet another rider who can move me like he did, and I do not think ever will born, just because now Marco is legend, history, myth ... each race in which there was a climb and Marco was an event not to be missed for anything in the world ... people lived throughout the race waiting for "something" that was always happening, but exciting every time in a different way ...

but the thought is not only for the rider Marco, but also for Marco as a man: a man unlucky, from the many accidents that have limited his career, until the sad ending of the bloody February 14

Nine years have passed, I remember like it was yesterday that message on my cell that advised me of his death ... I was incredulous and shocked ... and I remember very well the first page of Gazzetta dello Sport the day after ... a sad page

But Marco he's just gone up, once again, faster than all of us and now look at us from there ... we know that he's there and we will never forget Him

Ciao Pirata!

 

[SafeBet]

Nine years have passed, I remember like it was yesterday that message on my cell that advised me of his death ... I was incredulous and shocked ...

Same.
I remember I was at a friend's place just chatting and got the text. It was around 11pm. Couldn't even find the words to tell my friends.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Like every February 14th the first thought can not that be for Him

Has not been born yet another rider who can move me like he did, and I do not think ever will born, just because now Marco is legend, history, myth ... each race in which there was a climb and Marco was an event not to be missed for anything in the world ... people lived throughout the race waiting for "something" that was always happening, but exciting every time in a different way ...

but the thought is not only for the rider Marco, but also for Marco as a man: a man unlucky, from the many accidents that have limited his career, until the sad ending of the bloody February 14

Nine years have passed, I remember like it was yesterday that message on my cell that advised me of his death ... I was incredulous and shocked ... and I remember very well the first page of Gazzetta dello Sport the day after ... a sad page

But Marco he's just gone up, once again, faster than all of us and now look at us from there ... we know that he's there and we will never forget Him

Ciao Pirata!

great post, you worded it exactly like I feel

 

[Carols]

When one reaches my age they have suffered many losses of family, friends and non-human dear ones. Life is full of loss and pain

But I clearly remember where I was and what I was doing 4 times when I heard the news of the death of someone I didn't know. Those times were:

JFK
Secretariat
John Lennon
and

Marco Pantani

He touched my soul forever and I mourn him again today, this the anniversary of his death. May he rest in the peace he never found in life. He gave us so much and will never be forgotten by any who witnessed his Greatness.

RIP Il Pirati

 

[Christian]

Nice french song about Pantani: "Rimini"

tu allais plus haut, plus vite que les autres
j'espère que tu n'as pas râté le paradis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wx5Zer4XJkg

(with footage from 2000 in courchevel)