Marco Pantani -Il Pirata

[migrantwing]

Pantani is my favourite cyclist of all time, followed Fabian Cancellara.

Marco Pantani died alone in a hotel room of acute Cocaine poisoning. I know that the amount of Cocaine he consumed at that time was a lot, even for a regular user. Some say that it was ingested with water to help consume the large amount. This leads to speculation of suicide because of being disgraced and losing his girlfirend at the time or even murder by the Mafia or similar to silence him.

I have watched numerous documentaries and read various books and articles about him but one thing remains an uncertainty for me. He was addicted to Cocaine, but was he a recreational user of the drug or was he coerced into taking it for performance gains by team management or other outside influences?

 

[TheJDog]

I thought it was fairly well established that he only started bingeing on coke (because he was depressed) after he'd been banned.

But you're probably more of an expert than me.

 

[migrantwing]

I thought it was fairly well established that he only started bingeing on coke (because he was depressed) after he'd been banned.

But you're probably more of an expert than me.

I wouldn't call myself an expert

I'm not 100% sure. There are hints at Cocaine use throughout his life.

 

[migrantwing]

I reckon that anyone who knows, isn't going to be telling.

Quite right.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I reckon if you've read Matt Rendell's book you should know all about his drug use, performance-enhancing and recreational. If you haven't, you should. A career based on them and a life ended by them.

 

[Ian H]

Cycling is poorer without him. Cycle racing is losing its colourful characters.

 

[clockworksimon]

An interesting, talented but flawed character yes. Incredibly sad end. However I can't understand the popular adulation of a cheating doper.

 

[si_c]

Cycling is poorer without him. Cycle racing is losing its colourful characters.

Sagan is colourful enough for the entire peloton

 

[migrantwing]

I reckon if you've read Matt Rendell's book you should know all about his drug use, performance-enhancing and recreational. If you haven't, you should. A career based on them and a life ended by them.

I haven't read that one. I had heard numerous times that it was not a very good read, for different reasons. I may have to try it.

 

[migrantwing]

Cycling is poorer without him. Cycle racing is losing its colourful characters.

Indeed, it is. As are most sports and entertainments in general. Just look at the state of modern music, minus the few.

 

[migrantwing]

An interesting, talented but flawed character yes. Incredibly sad end. However I can't understand the popular adulation of a cheating doper.

Most greats are flawed, yet still adulated. Musicians, atheletes, actors. It is part and parcel of their chemistry.

 

[migrantwing]

Sagan is colourful enough for the entire peloton

I admire him as a cyclist/athlete, but don't like him much as a person.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I haven't read that one. I had heard numerous times that it was not a very good read, for different reasons. I may have to try it.

If you think Pantani was a naturally gifted cyclist it may blow your world apart.

 

[Globalti]

Pantani should have just stuck with Spanish beef, that seems to be OK.

 

[migrantwing]

If you think Pantani was a naturally gifted cyclist it may blow your world apart.

I've just ordered a second hand copy of Matt Rendell's book. I'm not doubting that Pantani wasn't 100% naturally gifted. Not many people are. We all need help, in some way, shape or form It's not just his cycling but his personality and the man himself that I am drawn to. The vast majority of well known/famous people are empty vessels, especially in the world of sport. The same can't be said for him.