Cycling's Tribute to Marco Pantani...

Standing six metres high, a new statue that has been erected to honour Italian cycling legend Marco Pantani is a suitably larger-than-life tribute to a larger-than-life character.

Italy Bike Tours is proud to have helped bring this incredible tribute to one of Italy’s favourite sons to life, and now it stands proudly on Plan Il Montecampione, a legendary climb etched into Giro d’Italia lore.

It was on this climb in 1998 that Il Pirata (The Pirate) more or less guaranteed victory in that year’s Giro. As he dispatched Swiss cyclist Alex Zülle and then launched wave after wave of relentless attacks on his deadly rival, Russian Pavel Tonkov, fans were aware that something special was happening - one of those ‘where were you?’ sporting moments that only come around once in a generation.

As Pantani’s pursuit of Tonkov continued, it was only in the last few kilometres that Pantini wore the Russian down, claiming a famous victory.

Not only did Pantini’s stage victory pave the way for him winning that year’s Giro, but his relentless and daring pursuit was synonymous with his style. On this 20km, 7.5 per cent climb, Pantani gritted his teeth and did what he did best – he found that extra gear like he always did, he attacked in punishing conditions and he never gave up.

That’s why he’s regarded as one of the best climbers in cycling history, and that’s why he’s one of Italy’s most-loved sportsmen.

Not since the days of Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali have the Italian people loved a cyclist as much. With his shaven head, earrings and bandana, Pantani had a distinct look, and one that attracted plenty of attention. He was a breath of fresh air both in the saddle and out.

Nineteen-ninety-eight was one of the greatest years in Italian cycling for a long time. Alongside winning the Giro, Il Pirata went to France several months later and walked off with the yellow jersey, winning the Tour De France for good measure.

No wonder he’s still revered and idolised in Italy.

Born in Cesana in Emilia-Romagna in 1970, his flame, however, burned brightly for all too few years. But when he burned there was no one else quite like him.

One Italian cycling commentator - RAITV commentator Alessandra de Stefano - attempted to explain the appeal of Il Pirata to CyclingNews.com in 2014.

“Pantani represented so many things for so many people,” he said.

“He was the ugly duckling who became a god. His ears stuck out and he was bald, but he was the best rider in the world and the best mountain climber that has ever existed.”

And yet, seemingly like all geniuses, there were darker sides to him.

A complex personality, he was sometimes aloof, sometimes shy and introverted, and sometimes ebullient and fun. Doping allegations dogged his career, and he faced disgrace in the 1999 Giro d’Italia when his haematocrit level was found to be too high. He was subsequently disqualified, a stain on his career that he never recovered from emotionally.

At the time of disqualification, he was leading the Giro with only one mountain stage left to go. It was devastating for both Pantani and the Italian public who, by this time, idolised him.

When he died from heart failure, aged only 34 in 2004, the whole nation mourned this flawed genius.

The next day, the headline in La Gazzetta dello Sport read: ‘Lost Hero, We Adored You’.

Pantani pushed everything to the absolute limit and he lived his life on the edge. So when the ultimate tragedy happened there was a deep sense that he burned so brightly during his peak, that his fall was only ever going to be steep and painful. 

And yet, 17 years after his death Il Pirata’s legend still lives on, as embodied by this new statue. He’s still viewed with teary-eyed adoration in his home country, a sportsman that transcended cycling and was loved by everyone in Italy. The ultimate tragic hero.

Pantani’s ending was ultimately a heart-breaker, but his aggression and thrilling riding style will never be forgotten. And, thanks to the statue now on Plan Il Montecampione, fans of Pantani and cycling fans in general can now pay tribute to one of cycling’s most complex but brilliant characters, and one of Italy’s favourite sons.

Italy Bike Tours are now incorporating visits to the Plan Il Montecampione statue on a number of our tours. Whilst also drinking in the spirit and legacy of Pantani, we will be visiting the Val Camonica, where Pantani won a Giro stage on his way to the ‘98 title , as well as the Mortirolo and Gavia passes, which both have historical ties to the Giro D’Italia.