Marco Pantani

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The determination of cyclist Marco Pantani leads him to win the Giro d'Italia and (as the only Italian) the Tour de France, as well as to overcome serious accidents. In 1999, his hematocrit level is found to be above the permitted threshold: this marks the beginning of a downward spiral that leads to depression and death from drugs.

For the first time, an unprecedented journey into the life of Marco Pantini. Set against the backdrop of his beloved Cesenatico, with public and private archive material and intimate conversations with family members and close friends. With tenderness, empathy and love, The Natural tells the story, from the inside, of the man and the sportsman.

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See the Maglia Rosa change hands no less than eight times on the road to Milan. Battle commences right from the start when pre-race favourite Alex Zulle takes the prologue time-trial. In the first mountain test at Lago Laceno, Zulle lives up to his billing as the man to watch, but his hold on the lead is far from secure and as the race enters its final and phenomenally mountainous week Marco Pantani makes his move. Only Guiseppi Guerini can stay ith `The Pirate` at Val Gardena. Only 1996 winner Pavel Tonkov can deny him the following day at Alpe Ampeago, but the little climbing magician proves too strong for everyone at Montecampione where he all but wraps up his first major tour win with a superb solo victory. going into the final time-trial, Pantani`s lead is just a minute on Tonkov but, cheered on by thousands of fervent fans, the Italian delivers the time-trial performance of his life and a crushing blow to Tonkov who has to settle for second overall for the second year in a row.

By adding his name to the list of Tour winners in 1999, Lance Armstrong had overcome adversity and earned the admiration of all. By winning again in 2000, the champion took on a whole new dimension. This time, all the greats were there. Like the others, Ullrich, winner in 1997, and Pantani, winner in 1998, had to admit the superiority of the American, who won one of the most spectacular Tours in recent years. An exceptional winner, a race full of action... All the ingredients were there to write some of the most beautiful pages in the history of the Tour...

The 1998 edition will occupy a special place in the history of the Tour. Not only because it was marred by doping scandals, but also because it reached new heights in sporting terms. The Deux Alpes stage and the rise to power of Marco Pantani, the winged climber, will remain one of the greatest moments in the sport. Impressive in his victory in 1997, Jan Ullrich went on to show admirable spirit in defeat by winning two more stages. This passing of the torch between two great champions made the 1998 Tour so memorable and provided us with some exceptional images.