Sunday, February 15, 2004

ARRIVEDERCI, MARCO

This has been an awful week of death. From Baghdad to Moscow; on the rails in northern England to a shopping mall in China. So, the tragic death of Italian cyclist, Marco Pantani, might pale in comparison. But, the cycling fraternity is close and just like the deaths on the roads of Tom Simpson and Fabio Casartelli, Pantani's sad almost pitiful end hurts. Pantani will be remembered for his bald pate, his brilliant climbing efforts and his Tour win in 98. Equally, Marco's name is synonymus with cheating - the use of illegal substances to enhance his performance. The great professional, the driven cyclist he was perhaps led him to plead his innoncence. All that is now irrelevant as he has died a lonely, bitter and troubled man.

:: Posted by pete @ 19:14