The locality Plan of Montecampione (Brescia) remembers the "giant" Marco Pantani, with a statue of 6 meters, installed in 1800 meters high. This monument, inaugurated on 26nd June, is extremely symbolic, precisely because at Plan di Montecampione the pirate won the Tour of Italy in 1998. The statue of Marco Pantani was made by the sculptor Matthias Trotta in corten steel (beaten and welded). This represents the cyclist in the most iconic of his poses, i.e. with open arms after crossing the finish line. Among the associations that created the initiative is the Tour Operators Group of Valle Camonica, With the collaboration of Visit Brescia, of the municipality of Artogneand Province of Bresciaand Vallecamonica mountain communityand Pantani family and is sponsored by Lombardy region. The monument was inaugurated in the presence of Pantani's mother, Tonina Belletti, who has always participated in the initiatives in memory of his son.
Statue of Marco Pantani: Plan di Montecampione's homage to the immortal pirate
The statue of Marco Pantani at Plan di Montecampione is just the latest of the initiatives dedicated to the tireless "climber". During the last Giro d'Italia, the patron Urban Cairo gave Tonina Belletti the "Endless trophy", With Pantani winner of the 1999 Giro. This is a promise (kept) that Cairo made to the reporter Alessandro DeGiuseppe (Reservoir Dogs), who is investigating the pirate's death. During the competition of '99, despite having the victory in hand, the organizers disqualified Pantani a Madonna di Campiglio for problems of doping. It was the point of no return, Pantani never recovered from that disqualification. The pirate then died in 2004 in a Rimini motel because of a'oversode of cocaine. To date, there are those who think that Pantani's was not an accidental death, but a real one murder.
Despite the tragic events that led to the death of the sportsman, the memory of the greats remains of Pantani businesses on two wheels. As Coppi and Bartali before him, the pirate managed to make many Italians passionate about cycling. The new statue of Marco Pantani at Plan in Montecampione is an example of thatstill strong affection of the fans towards the never forgotten cyclist. The two-wheeled pirate still lives in the heart of every cycling lover. Pantani will remain a sports myth not only for old fans, but also among younger enthusiasts who, unfortunately, have not been able to experience his great exploits on the bike.
Cover photo: © Aldo Bolzan - Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
