Marco Pantani: The Legend of a Tragic Champion

by John Wilcockson (Editor), Graham Watson (Photographer)

Marco Pantani won the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in the same year, 1998, a feat previously achieved only by giants of the sport like Eddy Merckx, Fausto Coppi, and Miguel Indurain. The master cyclist was also a victim of the drug culture of pro cycling, eventually sinking into a deep depression and dying alone in a hotel room on Valentine's Day 2004. This book chronicles the highs and lows of Pantani's life and cycling career through the words of leading American and European sportswriters, and it includes candid color shots of Pantani in action by renowned sports photographer Graham Watson.

Genres: Cycling, Biography

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2005

About the author

John Wilcockson has been writing about cycling for four decades. He has been the editor of five cycling magazines, was the first cycling correspondent for The Times, and has won awards for his journalistic services. He has written more than a dozen books. A graduate of the University of London, Wilcockson now lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very brief overview of Marco Pantani’s rise and fall. Focuses mainly on his cycling career and his great triumphs and tragedies Ok read.

[Abraham Cyrman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not very engaged while reading it, partly because I already knew Pantani's history. However, there were several facts I didn't knew.

Not the best bio I have read but still recommended if you are a cycling fan.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 Fantastic climber and competitor but had terrible demons.

[Larry Falk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is poorly written, but a short book so it's not too painful of a read. Still, I learned a little bit about Pantani so I was satisfied.