Last night I had the pleasure of watching the 2000 TdF stage to the summit of Ventoux. Even though we all know the outcome the commentary of Paul Sherwin and Phil Leggat was riveting as usual. In Paul Sherwin's words, Pantani had gotten dropped 6 times on the lower slopes of the geant du Provence, but each time fought his way back to reattach to an elite group of cyclists that include Lance, Heras (Kelme), Virenque, Botero (Kelme), Beloki (Festina) and Ullrich. Back then, Botero and Beloki were the "revelations' of the Tour. Pantani kept fighting back and then on the barren roads to the summit, initiated multiple attacks. It was awesome.
The question I ask you, "When you are ride and get spit out by the group multiple time and fight to reattach, have you ever then had the guts to attack, knowing you were the weakest earlier ?". Call him crazy or courageous, but his attacks were fabulous on that day.
Whether Lance gave him the stage or not at the top is a matter that can be debated forever. The sheer guts of Pantani to attack or die is that of champion. I still get as much entertainment value out of this as I do watching Sosa, Bonds or McGuire bang out 60+ home runs per season. We don't know totally what these guys were on to get those numbers, but it was fun watching. So was the 1988 100 m finals with the like of Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis and Linford Christie in a drag race. All were nailed either publicly or privately for use/alleged use of banned substance. Still was fun to watch as a fan.
Finally, I head there are three ways to summit Ventoux. I'll be riding there this summer. Any suggestions on which route/routes ?
The question I ask you, "When you are ride and get spit out by the group multiple time and fight to reattach, have you ever then had the guts to attack, knowing you were the weakest earlier ?". Call him crazy or courageous, but his attacks were fabulous on that day.
Whether Lance gave him the stage or not at the top is a matter that can be debated forever. The sheer guts of Pantani to attack or die is that of champion. I still get as much entertainment value out of this as I do watching Sosa, Bonds or McGuire bang out 60+ home runs per season. We don't know totally what these guys were on to get those numbers, but it was fun watching. So was the 1988 100 m finals with the like of Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis and Linford Christie in a drag race. All were nailed either publicly or privately for use/alleged use of banned substance. Still was fun to watch as a fan.
Finally, I head there are three ways to summit Ventoux. I'll be riding there this summer. Any suggestions on which route/routes ?