Pantani and Indurain

Succumbing to temptation, and stayingset in the head.

Two riders from recent history. Have yourecognized Marco Pantani and Miguel Indurain?

On the Tour de France roads, theirchallenges are on different levels: instinct and strength. And when thestrength is not there, you must have the trained instinct to do the rightthing. Otherwise, it's panic, and you risk throwing everything away.

Before there were radios and powermeters that told the runner to stay calm and do exactly what he was told. Therewas instinct and reason. These were what made the difference between a goodrunner and a champion. It is often said that this is all the difference betweenchampions and the brothers of champions. Same genetic inheritance, often samesimilar characteristics but different results to make one the "brotherof."

We'll never have proof of that. No pointin wracking our brains. But we have (had) Indurain and Pantani and two suchdifferent ways of racing and yet champions. One attacking as soon as he could,the other attacking when he could no longer do without, and you can  count them on the fingers of one hand, likethat time against Berzin at the Giro d'Italia. It was 1991 and Pantani wouldcome shortly after with the phrase "I saw the climb, I held on for a fewhundred meters and then I attacked," no calculations, just strength whilethere was still some.

Indurain did not like sprinting. Hischange of pace was slower but relentless. He went at a stable pace and limitedthe damage, even ending up causing damage to others, and they exalted him bylengthening the time trials. Pantani raced without reasoning and mesmerized everyonewith his actions that seemed reckless and "outdated." And we thoughtthese tales were lost due to technology.

Instead, some riders look at thecomputer and then sprint away, and if it doesn't lead to a victory, so be it!Cycling, however, has served.

And that's why we will continue to likethem.