Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist

In the world of long distance cycling, Marco Pantani was a natural, a notable model of endurance, determination, and a willingness to hang on through the pain. Filmmaker James Erskine's PBS-aired documentary reviews the tragically short life and career of Pantani—who was a source of national pride in Italy—a man who described himself as an artist using his bike as his paintbrush. Pantani was known as a “climber,” highly skilled on the grueling process of uphill pedaling over Europe's mountains. But the downhill side is very dangerous, as cyclists reach incredible speeds, often causing massive (and sometimes fatal) pile-ups. For Pantani, cycling was both a passion and an addiction, and he acquired the nickname "the Pirate" for his shaved head, bandana, and earrings, adopting an aerodynamic posture as he hunched over his bike. In the 1970s, the Tour de France was becoming a big business thanks to corporate team sponsorship and media saturation coverage of the lengthy race. Essentially a loner, Pantani enjoyed the attendant fame and money, but a culture of doping was also taking root in the sport. (One cyclist notes that you "can't win the races on mineral water.") Pantani was badly injured in a mid-90s bike accident, and for a while it was feared that he wouldn't walk again. However, in 1998 he came roaring back, winning both the three week Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia races. Fame brought increased scrutiny, and while it was never proved that Pantani used performance-enhancing drugs, he did acquire a serious cocaine habit, eventually suffering a broken sense of self worth and dying alone in 2004 of cocaine poisoning. Although Pantani isn't well-known in America, his is an all-too-familiar story of success and excess in professional sports. Also featuring commentary from colleagues and family (although the subtitles are often difficult to read), this is a strong optional purchase for larger sports collections. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)