It's been six years since the death of one of the greatest climbers and unarguably, one of the most tragic figures of pro cycling. I ran across the following quotes last year and they are striking in their contrast between despair and hope:
“I’m left all alone. No one managed to understand me. Even the cycling world and even my own family.”
Marco Pantani (note from his last passport)
“Marco’s death also serves as a call for friendship: for the gift of friendship and of hope. That no one be alone. That no one feel or be left alone. We must believe in life with the same passion that Marco demonstrated in accomplishing his victories.”
Bishop Antonio Lanfranchi (from Marco Pantini’s funeral homily)
I for one pray that the cycling world never forgets Marco and the pitfalls of his fantastic, yet sad career. May we all learn from his mistakes and do our best to "believe in life". If you haven't seen it yet, Graham Watson has a nice memorial to Il Pirata on his website:
http://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs...nform&mpantani