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Man on the Run: The Life and Death of Marco Pantani
In February 2004, Marco Pantani was found dead in a hotel room in Rimini. The 34-year-old climbing specialist was a Tour de France and Giro d'Italia champion, but his career was blighted by doping allegations. Pantani was the last man to win the Tour before Lance Armstrong embarked on his record-equalling victories, but his career went into free-fall when he was ejected from the 1999 Giro while in the lead after failing a test for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Thanks to her close rapport with Pantini's family, Manuela Ronchi has been able to tie together the loose ends of his story to loyally reconstruct the life of the champion. From his childhood discovery of cycling to the triumphs, losses, and scandal that accompanied the sporting personality, here is the full, intimate, authentic and personal story of Pantani's remarkable career.
- GenresCycling
231 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 21, 2016
La historia de mi ídolo de adolescencia, contada por Manuela Ronchi, la manager en los tiempos gloriosos y oscuros de Marco Pantani. Uno ya sabe el final y la mitad de la historia, y con "Un hombre en fuga" conoces al niño, a la estrella, al cabezadura.
Por esto, y por los chismes, por ver el backstage de una tragedia que no debió suceder, es que vale la pena leer este biografía de un personaje que tiene miles de biografía, y se podrían escribir muchas más.
Me demoré más de un año para leer esta biografía. Meses completos leyendo lentamente porque cada día me la pasaba viendo videos viejos en Youtube, emocionándome como lo hice escuchando radio cuando era un jovencito de un pueblo muy alejado de Italia.
Incluso abandoné el libro, porque recordé que cuando Pantani murió yo me alejé por casi una década del ciclismo, odié a Lance Armstrong (incluso antes que se confirmará el doping consuetudinario) y sabiendo que Panta iba a morir, me dolió de todas maneras. Busqué más páginas al final del libro como queriendo que con más palabras se podía revivir , y no, no había más, era el fin de una vida que dejaba vía libre para que el circo del ciclismo profesional como show continuara sin tanto ruido.
Por esto, y por los chismes, por ver el backstage de una tragedia que no debió suceder, es que vale la pena leer este biografía de un personaje que tiene miles de biografía, y se podrían escribir muchas más.
“Yo soy así, en los entrenamientos no acepto que nadie me deje de rueda. Quiero crear el vacío en la espalda, tanto en carrera como cuando salimos a dar una vuelta. Quiero acostumbrarme poco a poco a estar solo: son los otros que se tienen que esforzar en seguirme....”Marco Pantani.
Me demoré más de un año para leer esta biografía. Meses completos leyendo lentamente porque cada día me la pasaba viendo videos viejos en Youtube, emocionándome como lo hice escuchando radio cuando era un jovencito de un pueblo muy alejado de Italia.
Incluso abandoné el libro, porque recordé que cuando Pantani murió yo me alejé por casi una década del ciclismo, odié a Lance Armstrong (incluso antes que se confirmará el doping consuetudinario) y sabiendo que Panta iba a morir, me dolió de todas maneras. Busqué más páginas al final del libro como queriendo que con más palabras se podía revivir , y no, no había más, era el fin de una vida que dejaba vía libre para que el circo del ciclismo profesional como show continuara sin tanto ruido.
Había sido apartado como si fuera una manzana podrida y se había querido dar a entender que él era el único corrompido, mientras el ciclismo continuaba con su guión, exaltando a otros campeones al servicio del juego de las partes.
March 24, 2018
I’ve read most of the books available on Pantani and this is an interesting take on the sad saga. Written from the viewpoint of his female manager, it reveals a pretty good summary of Pantani’s character and ethos. Can’t help but think he was the golden boy of cycling till Armstrong came on the scene, or more accurately American money came on the scene. We know now that Armstrong tested positive a number of times whilst racing and managed to escape prosecution from the Cycling hierarchy. My old cynical mind can’t help but think he was discarded by the same hierarchy in order to insure American domination of the Tour de France and subsequent dollars input. His expulsion from the Giro whilst wearing the pink jersey and the subsequent toxic fall out so soon after the Festina debacle, can surely have only been “allowed “ in the knowledge that new American investment was going to rescue the sport . A sad sad episode in the life and what would eventually lead to the death of imo Cycling’s most majestic climber , he possessed that most desired trait of a racing cyclist...,panache.
July 3, 2021
This book was more about how drugs, and cocaine and in particular, can ruin someone’s life and not a story on cycling.
You could tell that Manuela Ronchi – manager, confidante and friend – struggled to write this book.
It’s an incredibly sad story about an amazing rider.
I'll look elsewhere to find more about his riding skills and what others thought of him.
RIP sir.
You could tell that Manuela Ronchi – manager, confidante and friend – struggled to write this book.
It’s an incredibly sad story about an amazing rider.
I'll look elsewhere to find more about his riding skills and what others thought of him.
RIP sir.
December 3, 2023
The two things I take away from this book?
1. Definitely a cheat (I didn't know anything about him before I read the book, and approached it with a completely open mind)
2. His agent is definitely in love with him.
I'm sure the author absolutely intended me to think the opposite, but it's hard to come to any other conclusions.
The viciousness of the narrative's sustained attacks on the character and decisions Pantani's girlfriend makes is appalling.
Even through the lens of this very forgiving and rose tinted account, he seems to have behaved throughout like an utterly selfish and unpleasant man, dropping people at will, expecting them to run round after him and to worship his every action regardless of how badly he treated them. Just because a woman has a Mohican and, eventually tires of being treated badly doesn't make her responsible for his addictions and downwards spiral.
"Marco needed a woman who loved him unconditionally, a good homemaker, someone from whose affection he could draw strength, love and courage..."
Ronchi tells us, as she babysits him and makes soups to his exact requirements, before he heads out to go and sit outside Christina's apartment and sob with unrequited love. Maybe he really did love Christina, and not just the idea of winning her back because she'd made herself unavailable to him, but she has the right to leave. And she has the right not to be painted as some kind of demon for not wanting to be tied into a relationship with someone who treated everyone around him so poorly, and who has become an addict. His pain and trials were very real, but it was his problem and his responsibility to address, not hers.
A fascinating book, but not, I think, for the reasons that the author would have wanted.
1. Definitely a cheat (I didn't know anything about him before I read the book, and approached it with a completely open mind)
2. His agent is definitely in love with him.
I'm sure the author absolutely intended me to think the opposite, but it's hard to come to any other conclusions.
The viciousness of the narrative's sustained attacks on the character and decisions Pantani's girlfriend makes is appalling.
Even through the lens of this very forgiving and rose tinted account, he seems to have behaved throughout like an utterly selfish and unpleasant man, dropping people at will, expecting them to run round after him and to worship his every action regardless of how badly he treated them. Just because a woman has a Mohican and, eventually tires of being treated badly doesn't make her responsible for his addictions and downwards spiral.
"Marco needed a woman who loved him unconditionally, a good homemaker, someone from whose affection he could draw strength, love and courage..."
Ronchi tells us, as she babysits him and makes soups to his exact requirements, before he heads out to go and sit outside Christina's apartment and sob with unrequited love. Maybe he really did love Christina, and not just the idea of winning her back because she'd made herself unavailable to him, but she has the right to leave. And she has the right not to be painted as some kind of demon for not wanting to be tied into a relationship with someone who treated everyone around him so poorly, and who has become an addict. His pain and trials were very real, but it was his problem and his responsibility to address, not hers.
A fascinating book, but not, I think, for the reasons that the author would have wanted.
April 14, 2024
An absolute must for any CYCLING or Pantani fan. Great on-site into his character and struggles as a somewhat insecure person yet legend on the bike.
December 11, 2011
Enjoyed this book. One of he reasons I love the tour de France is because of characters like pantani. Such passion and belief, but a tortured soul who is given a sympathetic hearing here by his manager and close friend manuela ronchi.
August 21, 2015
Una historia que todo amante del ciclismo debe leer, cambiará la perspectiva que se tiene de los ciclistas y del mundo del dopaje del que tanto se habla en torno a la bici. Un personaje muy muy singular Marco Pantani.
February 14, 2008
Short and concise. Could focus more on some of his wins.
June 7, 2011
Luce sulla sua morte e sulla sua vita. Interessantissimo e commovente.
April 27, 2014
An interesting insight to pantanis troublesome final years, from the perspective of his manager. The book could have perhaps focused on his wins a bit more but still worth a read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews