Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

If you are a fan of Pantani you very much tend to see him of a victim of the doping culture that was pervasive at the time. Sure, he was a maverick, and a larger than life prodigious talent, but he was also a vulnerable, troubled man with substance abuse issues who was arguably exploited.

If you haven't read Matt Rendell's biography I'd recommend doing so and drawing your own conclusions. But I think there's some truth in that if he'd survived he'd now probably be a tragic figure and it's unlikely Rapha would be releasing jerseys based on him. Dying young is a great way to secure your legacy...

I've read the book, which is why personally I find the beatification of him in some circles is strange. His story is tragic but, imo, no more tragic until his ultimate spiral than Jan Ulrich's but not many influential people in cycling seem to be interested in Ulrich today nor rehabilitating him except, perversely, Lance Armstrong.

And Daniel Friebe! That's a book I need to read...

Have heard good things about this Jan Ullrich documentary.

its a binary choice with doping.
Pantani good because italian, vibes and sympathy
Lance bad because mean american and an asshole
Millar good because chpt3, a book and cosplaying an intelligent person
JV good because of the meme value of his puffed up face post bee bite
Simon Yates, Lizzie Deignan good because British exceptionalism
Ulrich, neutral
Bala, god

Where’s Candelabra and his motorbike?

vingegaard bad because name looks like vinegar
pogacar good because slovenia, vibes and memes

how dare you bring the current crop into doping discussions

^ no joke, they should not be part of this discourse

Froome, sad because ashtma inhalers a bit softboi compared to blood transfusions
Contador, cancelled because we all vegans now

Lizzie Deignan

She shouldn't be on your list, as she has no doping conviction and successfully appealed her whereabouts issues.

great additions

fine! lizzie banks.

Kirby smokes weed!

Miguel ?

Wiggo bad because Paul Weller look alike
Merckx good because our Cav

Tiberi bad cos killed San Marino minister’s cat with air rifle? But now OK cos seems half decent on a bike and gives cute interviews?

Pantanis ghost climbs the Fauniera when you descend to Demonte.

Ulrich

You missed the last year, I hope he stays well.

Sorry but millar is a cheat and cheated other people of their win and careers. Intelligence doesn't come into it.

What about Sean Kelly?

I'm fairly sure Pantani would have been a spectacular doper even if Lance had never made it out of Plano.

The real question is would Pantani be MAGA if he was still alive?

Accent. Good.

Pantani gets away with for two reasons in my eyes… wild character and only the good die young.

Still a doper still a cunt. But a characterful one.

Who was the Italian cyclist after Pantani that was caught buying EPO and test in a car park WHILST BANNED?!!!!

Not cipo it’s someone else.

Riccardo Riccó. In a McDs car park no less.

I can actually see Rapha doing a Frank Vandenbroucke collection. Maybe as a collab with sporty and rich.

There’s so many I may be wrong… he was the one who just took absolutely everything and anything no?