Marco Pantani’s bike used in the 2000 Tour de France is set to stay in Italy after national coach Davide Cassani bought it at auction for €66,000.
Cassani (59), a former top professional rider himself,
was backed in his efforts at the auction by a group of Italian businessmen who
contributed to ensure the bike was secured by Italian cycling.
Cassani told La Gazzetta dello Sport the bike would be given to the Mercatone Uno museum along with another of Pantani’s bike from 2000, which fetched €46,000, as well as some of his jerseys and trophies.
All of the items were bought at the auction, for just over €160,000, to ensure they would stay in Italy and go on display rather than be lost to private collectors.
“We’re donating it to the Pantani museum so that everyone
can see it,” Cassani said of the items secured at the Bolaffi auction house’s
sale yesterday.
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“I have to thank the group of friends who helped us with
the funds for the auction. Without them it would have been impossible to offer
such a high price."
The Bianchi was used by Pantani in his final Tour de
France when he beat Lance Armstrong to victory atop Mont Ventoux on stage 12.
The Italian also took victory on stage 15 and was sitting
in 14th place overall before withdrawing after suffering stomach
problems.
The Mercatone Uno-Albacom rider never rode the Tour de France again, though he continued to race for another three seasons and rode both the Giro and Vuelta during that time.
His victory on stage 15 of the race was his last win as a pro. And though he also beat Armstrong on stage 12, that victory led to ill feeling between the riders as Pantani believed the American gifted him the stage and was unhappy about that.
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