Pantani menorial canceled: organizers’ message to fans

Excessive weather-related risks

The cancellation of the Pantani Memorial, a race named after the Cesenatico champion who died in tragic circumstances in 2004, has disappointed cycling fans in no small part, who would have seen champions of the caliber of Vincenzo Nibali and Egan Bernal at work on the very roads where the ‘Pirate’ trained on Saturday, September 17. However, the organization had no choice but to preserve the safety of riders and accompanying staff, which had been put at risk by the severe weather in recent days.

The Gruppo Sportivo Emilia, which organizes the competition, expressed regret in its message to fans, explaining, however, the inevitability of a decision “taken following the ‘Uci Extreme Weather Protocol’ and in total agreement by all parties involved: organization, jury panel, teams and athletes with the sole objective of safeguarding the safety of the caravan.”

Interviewed by ‘InBici’, Gianni Savio, patron of Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli, also confirmed from his point of view the goodness of the decision: “There is a tremendous wind and the athletes’ safety would have been missed. When we arrived in Cesenatico we found ourselves with a fallen tree in the middle of the road. It’s very sorry, because the Pantani Memorial remembers a great athlete and has a following, the fans were waiting for this race, but that’s part of the game.”