Road Bike Racing - Marco Pantani

In this months edition of BICYCLE magazine there was an long article about Marco Pantani and his life story. Did anyone read it? I would love to here your thoughts about it.

He was a prodigiously talented rider who unfortunately became a doper and paid for it with his life. His is a very sad story.

It was a good article. It gave a sympathetic look at the wasteful death of a great cyclist.It is a shame that he resorted to doping for professional reasons, and that he became addicted to drugs used for recreational reasons.

Did he overdose or was he killed? i read the article at B&N and i thought he was killed but i was not sure.

Did he over dos or was he killed?

sorry everyone
did not mean to post twice comp. problem. :crash:

Did he overdose or was he killed? i read the article at B&N and i thought he was killed but i was not sure.

Fans, hero worshippers, and devotees of celebrity often have trouble believing in the mortality of their idols. Elvis was sighted in convenience stores around the nation years after his death. Tupac was rumored to have engineered his own stage death.

There are people who do not want to believe that Pantani could have died is such a sordid and wasteful way. They would rather concoct a conspiracy to kill the man than face the fact that he, in depression and despair, OD'ed on cocaine. It is easier for them to believe that he was murdered than that he was flawed. That was one point that the article made.

I will be picking up this issue of Bicycle. Thanks for the heads up.

i thought it was pretty sad. Pantani was obviously suffering from depression and it seems no one was there to stand up and get him the help he needed. he'll always be a great rider in my mind.

I will be picking up this issue of Bicycle. Thanks for the heads up.

GC,

Be sure you get the December 2004 issue for the Pantani story. The Jan/Feb 2005 issue just came to my house a few days ago.

great article, but so sad that his countrymen wont admit that he ODed and that it was his own fault :(

I really enjoyed article. Very sad situation when a hero of a country with such a passion for cycling won't admit to the real problem. He was a great racer who allowed drugs to ruin and then end his life.

Fans, hero worshippers, and devotees of celebrity often have trouble believing in the mortality of their idols. Elvis was sighted in convenience stores around the nation years after his death. Tupac was rumored to have engineered his own stage death.

There are people who do not want to believe that Pantani could have died is such a sordid and wasteful way. They would rather concoct a conspiracy to kill the man than face the fact that he, in depression and despair, OD'ed on cocaine. It is easier for them to believe that he was murdered than that he was flawed. That was one point that the article made.


RG, I don't know what you're talking about. I just saw Tupac, Biggie and Elvis at the Walgreen's fighting over a box of White Castle. ;)

Anyway, I went to Italy in June, and definitely, there is a lot of sadness when you talk to people about Pantani. They did great tributes to Marco at the Giro this year- I picked up DVD's of all of Marco's achievements, and a WONDERFUL magazine, full of photography of all of Pantani's glory days. It's too bad Pantani was so depressed that he couldn't see the people around him who absolutely loved him, and it's also too bad that there were obviously people who turned their back on him instead of trying to help get him through his drug crisis.

Actually, there are a lot of too bads here. It was a waste of talent.

I'm going to pick up that Bicycling magazine. Thanks for the heads up. I'll be adding it to my collection.

Koffee

I just saw Tupac, Biggie and Elvis at the Walgreen's fighting over a box of White Castle.Elvis exchanging fists over White Castles? How about peanut butter and banana sandwiches? :p

Grrr, where can I find the December issue? Nobody in town seems to have it. No bookstands even. :(

If you are interested, I could scan the article and post it (assuming there are no copyright issues with that, probably are though). Or I could just email it to whoever wants it.

Pantani's problems were not unique to him. His story is common among elite professional athletes. Ken Camminiti, former baseball MVP also recently od'ed on cocaine. Same story. The team doctors gave him pain killers "over the table" so he could play while injured. The team trainers watched while Ken gained forty pounds of muscles in his upper body and had every sympton of steroid abuse, and just handed him more weights to lift. When he was hitting forty homers a year, the team management was happy with him. When he could not hit anymore, no team would touch him.

A baseball exec said that Cammi dead because he was "undisciplined" in his use of drugs. In baseball, the "disciplined" drug abusers, such as Barry Bonds, are held up as heroes. The undisciplined drug abusers are thrown away after they have been used up.

Lance Armstrong had said his major goal for the last year was winning the Olympics. Then, just before the Olympics, it was announced that new tests would be used that would detect drugs and EPO better than prior tests. And that blood samples would be stored for years, to be re-tested when better tests were developed. Lance then dropped out of the Olympics. Lance has canceled scheduled races after the Olympics where the new tests might be used. Tyler Hamilton took his chances beating the new tests and lost his gamble twice

Fans, sponsors, and the government to get serious about drug abuse. The use of drugs in an athletic contest is cheating and fraud. If Barry Bonds got his home run records by cheating, he should not just lose his records. He should be in prison, followed by drug treatment. Or, we canjust wait ten years and say "Sorry to hear the news about Barry Bonds".

http://home.comcast.net/~joejackson951/pictures/pantani.zip

For those interested in reading the article.

Added perspective about that Pantani article: the author was an addict, too.

It's easier for some fans to believe someone else took his life, than to admit/see that their hero was in such emotional pain after his career to take his own life.

Very true. If you admit that you saw the pain, then you are admitting that there's something you might have been able to do to prevent the tragedy. It's much easier to blame someone else and deflect some of the guilt you might feel from inactivity.

Koffee

I haven't read the article yet, but if he ODed on cocaine, was it his heart that gave out? Cocaine is a very, very bad drug and tremendously bad for the heart. When you read about aging rockers keeling over from massive heart attacks (Rick James, Robert Palmer, John Entwistle, etc.) you can almost be sure cocaine played a role in it. It's especially bad if you're a cyclist. Trust me on this - I have a "friend" who was starting to develop a nice little habit some years ago. When cycling season came around, he was worried about the effect of doing blow and cycling - that it may be too much for his heart. Faced with that decision, he had to make a choice. He chose cycling :D and never looked back. May be a good detox method.

What cave have I been in? I didn't know Robert Palmer passed away. :eek:

I bet you'll tell me Tyler Hamilton is a blood doper next. Oh wait...

Its just a sad waste like so many before. It was a good article BTW.

What cave have I been in? I didn't know Robert Palmer passed away. :eek:

I bet you'll tell me Tyler Hamilton is a blood doper next. Oh wait...


It was just a minor item in the news about, oh, 8 months ago. Sad, but true. :(

I guess he thought he was "immune to the stuff, oh yeah." I guess he might as well faced it, he was addicted... :mad:

<serious on>
I did end up reading the article that was posted about Pantani - a poor soul and there but for the grace of God...

A word to the wise, fellow cyclists - Pantani, while unique in that he was very talented, was still human, like us, and faced the same temptations. I've noticed that cyclists, be they recreational or hard-core, share a certain mindset and propensity toward adrenaline and rushes. Ever notice that rush you get after a good long ride? When you get back home & de-kit & shower while you blast music & every one of your nerves feels the ultimate joy of being alive? It's the best! (That's one of the reasons we do it.) And, it's not much different than coming off stage after a good gig (been there) or a good five sets of tennis or any other kind of sport that people practice that produces that rush. Highs are highs, and it sounds like Pantani was an adrenaline junkie, no more and no less.

Cocaine is fun & seductive, like your bike. And - it's an excellent substitute. After all, you don't have to get off of your couch to do it. Problem is - it doesn't feed, it drains. George Carlin - "You know how cocaine makes feel? It makes you feel like doing more cocaine."

Hmm. Not unlike cycling, in some ways, but - cycling is better for you.
<serious still on>

Pantani was obviously suffering from depression and it seems no one was there to stand up and get him the help he needed.
Regardless of who the person is, there is seldom anyone in their life capable of understanding just how awful deep clinical depression really feels. When Pantani's depression became a ponderous illness, it no longer mattered if he doped or not. He simply needed help. And whether he doped or not, I feel profound and tearful sadness the help he so badly needed was unable to save his life.

There's a little Pantani in a lot of athletes and ordinary Joes. Ever do something wild, chaotic, extraordinary? People take notice of you. It's human nature to want to be noticed. So you continue this behavior. You become what you think people want you to be. This is addiction, and I don't know what drug abuse is like, but I can't imagine losing your identity to a mob being much easier to cope with.

I might buy that magazine. I always thought pantani's story was just so sad. His death really did cause a lot of sadness in italy- from what I remember reading at the time, it was like the whole country was in mourning. A lot of his colleagues seem to have been really freaked out and demoralized by his death- I remember that Mario Cipollini spoke about how he saw Pantani fans by the side of the road. I think this was the tour of the Med or Terreno-adriatico, and he said it was really traumatic. EVen after he died,his fans were still at races with the skull and crossbones flags, and banners and signs, as if he were still racing. That's what's so sad. His fans and the public simply loved him, no matter what he did and as far as they're concerned he was the greatest. BUt in the end, even with all those people who loved him he was all alone and miserable. Just a terrible way to come to an end.

Very good article, I can hardly believe that it is in Bicycling. . . may
have to buy an issue if that is the quality of writing now.
I was never a Pantani fan, but I did admire the way he climbed and
attacked, He brought something to cycling that was sorely missing. . . excitement.

the one thing that the article really brought home to me is
what a sad man Pantani was, despite all that he had.

Marty

Regardless of who the person is, there is seldom anyone in their life capable of understanding just how awful deep clinical depression really feels. When Pantani's depression became a ponderous illness, it no longer mattered if he doped or not. He simply needed help. And whether he doped or not, I feel profound and tearful sadness the help he so badly needed was unable to save his life.

I fully understand what Marco was feeling (the depression). I've been fighting it for years, I was finally able to seek help this year. The docs have been great, and the meds seem to be good. I wish Marco had gotten help, he might be alive today if he had. It was a waste that he died the way he did, but it was also a wake up call for me. I was able to seek help because of Marco. I hope his family is coping well.

That's what was so sad, that he was loved by millions, the way most of us only wish we could be loved, and he died this pathetic, Jim MOrrison death. But he was also a real character and added a lot of pizzazz to the races. In a way, the cycling world got a little dimmer when he died. We need more colorful types like him. Cipollini is also like that, and he's going to retire soon.

Hey,
Jim Morrison isn't really dead. . . he is living in Africa under the assumed
name of Mr. Mojo Rising.
besides his death (as reported) was due to pneumonia (although some current reports are now saying O.D. who knows? anyone who did is now dead, except elvis.

Marty

Pantani had so many things which others could only hope to achieve.

He had the personality, the media attraction, the physical talent, and the looks to be a star both on and off the bike.

How many of you would have considered purchasing a Pantani Bike, Pantani clothing, accessories and memorobilia. He had immeasurable commercial appeal. With his appearance and respect from within the industry, I believe he could have easily launched a career behind the microphone.

But as Major Tylor cited earlier, depression is something that goes beyond comprehension for those who have not experienced it. I have within my own family a history of Bi-polar depression. It is hard to empathize with the pain it creates for those who suffer with its effects. But those effects are very real and magnitude so great that often the sufferer would rather end their own life to end the pain. Similar to my own experience, the Pantani's family made numerous attempts to commit Marco into medical facilities. But he resisted every effort. He opted rather to end the suffering alone in a hotel room, with a large amount of cocaine. He knew it was the end. It was his choice.

That's so true. I remember that in the 2002 Giro, pantani wasn't doing well and was developing bronchitis, but he didn't want to bail. HE said, "The people need me." Meaning his fans. His fans meant as much to him as he did to them, and I think he'd have stuck around after retirement if he'd been mentally healthy. IF he wouldn't bail on the giro, I can't imagine just doing the ultimate bailout. It just to show you that when you feel that kind of despair, it doesn't matter how much other people love you.

http://home.comcast.net/~joejackson951/pictures/pantani.zip

For those interested in reading the article.


This is very nice of you.
I will still get the magazine when I find it.

thanks joejack! :)

This is very nice of you.
I will still get the magazine when I find it.

thanks joejack! :)

No prob. I really enjoyed the article and thought it was worth sharing.

I have a print copy (thanks RegularGuy!) that I would happily send along to anyone. PM me your address, and I'll drop it in the mail.

Coincidentally, I rather enjoyed reading the entire mag. Anyone else subscribe to Bicycling and can recommend it (or not)?

I fully understand what Marco was feeling (the depression). I've been fighting it for years, I was finally able to seek help this year. The docs have been great, and the meds seem to be good. I wish Marco had gotten help, he might be alive today if he had. It was a waste that he died the way he did, but it was also a wake up call for me. I was able to seek help because of Marco. I hope his family is coping well.

Perhaps this is Marco's legacy - inspiring others to get help before it is too late for them also. During this year one of my co-workers who was about 30 died of a drug overdose; a 17 year old relative died suddenly of "natural causes"; and a friend from college who appeared to be the pinnacle of fitness was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. All of these things have made me acutely aware that nothing in the future is guaranteed, and not to take things for granted.

(Lance, to his credit, will also attack on occasion, but they are much more calculated and much less frequent)

Pantani seemed to often go on attacks that were silly or tactically bad... but you could tell he always faught so hard. Like on the Ventoux, Chourchevel, Zoncolan, Hautacam, and so on...
Even when there may have been 10 other riders that had better form, he would still go for it.

One that stands out for me is Courchevel (wrong spelling)... even though he did win that day. He was angry over winning Ventoux with Armstrong on his wheel, so he was determined to solo the stage. Watching the video, you could tell he was cooked. And no one could hold his wheel that day.

great article. i found the slant on climbers and mental imbalance interesting. for the most part, i found the article neutral, and it showed the good as well as the bad. i think the downward spiral initiated by a career-devistating event could happen to anybody, in any profession, high profile or not. look at what the UCI did to graeme obree. what's going to happen to tyler? it's a loss and a shame.

Yesterday I just read the Pantani article in Bicycling. I was very impressed with this magazine and they did a great job with the story.

Actually, the rest of the mag was very good, too, considering how crappy the magazine has been the past couple of years. It has gotten so bad that it became simply unreadable. Oh sure, thier is still some some stupid "Get Fast Faster" blather in it but I think the quality of Bicycling has much improved.

I think they finally listened to the criticism and/or thier circulation was getting so low that Rodale had to do something!

Sorry to get off topic! Please continue ...

his parents wern't so well off so he probably was ready to do anything to get rich so doping and winning races was his only go.

Winning the Tour with a panache not seen since Fignon in '84................

A grimpeur champion, not reliant on a strong team and metronomic TT abilities, he gave hope to those of us who thought the romance of cycling was in terminal decline.

Just a short uphill section in a long descent, it seems.

Just a short uphill section in a long descent, it seems.

Definetly agree.
The only way to change it would be to totally change the routes and distances to an extent that will never happen.

I'm halfway through watching the 1998 Giro - hopefully I'll find time to watch the rest tomorrow :)