Marco Pantani, aka Elefantino aka Il Pirata
has been speaking to the press and it seems
he believes he can still get to Le Tour.
He stated he is going for GC in the Giro, and
that he is going to ride the Tour for a team
other than Mercatone Uno.
His thoughts on Lance (from Velonews):
Pantani said he's the only rider capable of attacking four-time Tour champion Lance Armstrong. Last week in L'Equipe, Pantani said Armstrong was vulnerable when he's attacked early in long mountain stages
When asked who can beat Armstrong, Pantani had an interesting answer.
"Only Pantani. Armstrong marks his differences in the mountains, because nobody truly attacks him. If you put him under pressure, I'm sure he'd in crisis," Pantani said. "I have the capacity to resist his first attack, where he makes a difference and then he's able to maintain it with this strange pedaling style of his. If someone can resist this first acceleration, he could get nervous and then he's beatable. And I don't believe he's the best climber in the world."
Sure, he was a good rider, great climber and actually the last
person to win the TdF before LA.
But, get real, this guy hasn't done anything other than shoot
his mouth off for the last 4 years. I believe his last win was in
2000.
I on the other hand believe that Tyler (with a strong enough
team effort) can challenge Lance, I'm also looking for
the ever present Once Squad to put the pressure on.
I haven't even begun to think about the Italians,
but Frigo has been looking very good early this season.
Yes, Lance won't have a walk in the park, but
Pantani? give me a break.
(ok I'll get off my soapbox now).
Marty