News for November 13, 1996

Pantani sets his sights on Giro 1997

Pantani, back in the spotlight at last weekend's presentation of the 1997 Giro, is determined to recover his form after suffering a horrifying leg injury last year.

One of the best climbers in the peloton, Pantani has proved two things over the last two years -- that the 26-year-old is one of the most talented and the most unlucky men on two wheels.

The 'Elefantino', who comes from Cesenatico on the Adriatic coast, where his parents run a seaside pizzeria, burst onto the cycling scene in 1994.

He finished second in the Tour of Italy that year and went on to a third place finish in the Tour de France, after nearly abandoning in the Alps.

Pantani fell heavily in the first climb towards Val Thorens and his injuries and the time lost almost forced him out. But he remounted his bike and heroically pedalled back to the front to finish in the lead group.

The following year saw further success, but even greater suffering.

In early May, Pantani was out on a training ride for the forthcoming Tour of Italy when a reckless driver ignored a red light and piled into him.

The accident cost Pantani three days in hospital and a ride in the Giro, and he had not fully recovered by the time the Tour de France came around a couple of months later.

But he stunned everyone in the world's most famous cycle race by winning two stages -- beating Miguel Indurain up the awesome Alpe d'Huez and four days later taking the Guzet-Neige stage after a staggering 42km breakaway.

It looked as if nothing could stop the popular Italian.

What did stop him though two months later was hurtling down a hill in the Milan-Turin at 80kmh, rounding a bend and splattering himself against a Jeep being driven towards him.

The lack of policing meant Pantani suffered a double open fracture of his left leg. Even when it was bolted back together, the injury has taken a year out of his career and the Italian still does not know if he will be competitive in 1997.

"I've come through what's been a pretty unhappy time for me," he told AFP. "But I can feel my form coming back. I've done about a dozen races since August, although the speed still isn't there yet.

"I feel good. I've been working harder than I have done in previous seasons, and I'm working towards having a great year in 1997."

Pantani has not only his own expectations and those of his new team Mercatone Uno to deal with, but also those of countless Italian cycling fans.

"You can't have a role to play without bearing the responsibility that goes with it, and at the moment I have a lot of responsibility," he acknowledged. "But for me it's a source of motivation, it's not something that bothers me.

"I'll do everything possible to be there at next year's Giro d'Italia.

"I like the course, it's one of the best of the last few years and there's a stage at Cervia, which is really near my home town, and even the time trial at San Marino is not that far away.

"But I've got to work hard to be competitive.

"People want me to be up at the front but to be there you've got to be on form. There are no short cuts. I'll have to decide before the race if I can match those expectations."