This month's Giro d'Italia is expected to be a moving three-week memorial to former winner Marco Pantani, who died of a cocaine overdose on February 14.
Revered in his homeland because of his exciting attacks in the mountains at the Giro and the Tour de France, Pantani's tragic and lonely death on St Valentine's day has left Italian cycling mourning one of its biggest heroes.
In his honour the Passo del Mortirolo climb on stage 19 has been designated the 'Montagna Pantani' this year and a special prize will be awarded to the first rider to the summit.
Hundreds of banners remembering Pantani are expected along the route, a stage will finish near his home town of Cesenatico and Italian sprinter Mario Cipollini has promised Pantani's parents that he will dedicate his first win to Marco.
"I'll never forget Pantani because I witnessed both the beauty and the tragedy of his life," Cipollini told Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Fortunately, my memories of Marco don't hurt me but instead give me the determination to want to win. My first victory at this year's Giro will definitely be for him," he added.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
