Cycling great Marco Pantani has been found dead at the age 34 according to reports in the Italian media.
Pantani, renowned for his superior climbing skills, won the Tour de France in 1998 but was the subject of a major scandal the following year when he was thrown out of the Giro d'Italia after he failed a drug test.
He also served a six-month suspension after a syringe was found in his room in 2001 although he was only one of many cyclists involved in that scandal.
He protested in vain that the syringe had been planted and that he had not been using the room.
In his prime, Pantani drew hoards of loyal fans to watch him sprint away from competitors while racing up steep mountain passes.
Nicknamed 'The Pirate' because of his liking for wearing for bandanas and earrings, Pantani had been under a cloud for the last two years due to various inquests by police and authorities into alleged drug-taking.
He rode in the 2003 Giro, finishing a disappointing 14th, and was later treated in a drugs and depression clinic. His team Mercatone Uno were not invited to take part in the centenary Tour de France last year.
"This is a tragedy of enormous proportions for the whole cycling world," said Mario Cipollini, a Tour veteran and winner of the 2002 world road race championship. "I can't find the words."
The cause of his death is unknown, although police said no violence was involved.
Pantani, renowned for his superior climbing skills, won the Tour de France in 1998 but was the subject of a major scandal the following year when he was thrown out of the Giro d'Italia after he failed a drug test.
He also served a six-month suspension after a syringe was found in his room in 2001 although he was only one of many cyclists involved in that scandal.
He protested in vain that the syringe had been planted and that he had not been using the room.
In his prime, Pantani drew hoards of loyal fans to watch him sprint away from competitors while racing up steep mountain passes.
Nicknamed 'The Pirate' because of his liking for wearing for bandanas and earrings, Pantani had been under a cloud for the last two years due to various inquests by police and authorities into alleged drug-taking.
He rode in the 2003 Giro, finishing a disappointing 14th, and was later treated in a drugs and depression clinic. His team Mercatone Uno were not invited to take part in the centenary Tour de France last year.
"This is a tragedy of enormous proportions for the whole cycling world," said Mario Cipollini, a Tour veteran and winner of the 2002 world road race championship. "I can't find the words."
The cause of his death is unknown, although police said no violence was involved.