Un uomo in fuga: La vera storia di Marco Pantani

by Manuela Ronchi and Gianfranco Josti

Marco Pantani è stato l'ultima vera leggenda del ciclismo, un campione capace di entusiasmare, con le sue imprese epiche sulle montagne del Giro d'Italia e del Tour de France, milioni di tifosi e di semplici spettatori, in Italia e nel mondo. È stato anche un personaggio tragico, inseguito dalle accuse di doping e precipitato nell'inferno della droga, fino alla morte nel residence di Rimini il giorno di San Valentino. Questo libro, scritto dalla sua manager, è la storia che lo stesso Pantani aveva progettato di scrivere, per raccontare le sue esperienze, i suoi sentimenti, la sua lotta per riconquistare un equilibrio anche al di fuori del ciclismo

Genres: Cycling

264 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Juan Escobar · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

“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.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Keith Leggott · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dave Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and concise. Could focus more on some of his wins.

[Mara Molinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luce sulla sua morte e sulla sua vita. Interessantissimo e commovente.

[Peter Sharkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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