The Pirate died on February 14, 2004. Today no one has forgotten him: his legend has defied time. He misses cycling, sport and, most of all, mother Tonina. This is why the champion from Romagna was special
On February 14, 2004, Italy woke up in a good mood: it was Saturday, the best day for Valentine’s Day, the feast of lovers. Nobody thought of posting some social messages to “share” places, places and feelings. Nobody thought about it for a simple reason: social media didn’t exist. Indeed, there was one: Facebook, “born” at the beginning of the month by father Mark Zuckerberg in the Harvard canteen. But here we were talking about something else. Politics, with Silvio Berlusconi at Palazzo Chigi at the head of his second government; football with Cavaliere’s Milan at the top of the table; of custom with the Scala in Milan still closed for restoration. Jannik Sinner was only two and a half years old, while on March 28th in Miami the first time of a match destined to rewrite the history of the racket would take place: Roger Federer against Rafa Nadal. Nothing foreshadowed a twilight of tears, pain, amazement and anger. The good mood of the Italian Saturday was swept away after 10pm, between a glass of wine and a dessert. The Ansa struck a final hour enclosed by stars. When it happened, the meaning was clear: very important news. That one went further, it paralyzed editorial offices all over the world: “MACO PANTANI IS DEAD”.