"Pantani Forever". De Zan Jr.'s Tribute

The father, the legendary Adriano De Zan, was undoubtedly "the voice" of the Cycling, to quote Sinatra. His son, Davide, one of the most esteemed and appreciated commentators of the cycling sport today, spoke of another myth: that of Marco Pantani. She did it to Lucca, at the Executioner's House, at the Festival of "L'Augusta - The Fortress of Ideas" by President Iacopo Di Bugno. The occasion? The presentation of Davide De Zan's book, "Marco Pantani per sempre", the emotional story of the life of one of the greatest of all time.

The initiative was included in the official calendar of "Events in pink", for the promotion of the Giro d'Italia 2025 which, as is known, will touch the city of the tree-lined circle again, with the start of the time trial that will lead to Pisa, in May. All this with the patronage of the Municipality of Lucca and the Marco Pantani Foundation. Davide De Zan, interviewed by Lorenzo Cafarchio, retraced the exploits of what, perhaps, remains the last representative of romantic cycling, if we want to define it that way. The Pirate has inflamed athletes of various generations. His life itself has become a novel.

"My book – declared De Zan junior – is an act of love towards this boy, an incredible talent who had to suffer countless injustices".

The book "Marco Pantani per sempre" is a compelling investigation that tells the full story of a champion who has remained in the heart of every cycling lover and not only. The evening was attended by: the mayor of Lucca, Mario Pardini; the councilor for Sport, Fabio Barsanti; the presidents of the Lucca and Pisa cycling committees, respectively Pierluigi Castellani and Benedetto Piccinini, with Ivano Fanini, patron of "Amore & Vita" (the most successful of all with the many champions he has launched over the years), with his brothers Brunello and Pietro and their son Cristian and the director of the Fanini Museum, Stefano Bendinelli. And, to stay on topic, De Zan visited the Fanini museum, remaining ecstatic for the quality and quantity of memorabilia present that evoke many memories and events of this sport, with unpublished photos that illustrate the history of this discipline.

Massimo Stefanini