Some corrections.

OK I clearly got my facts twisted. Pantani climbed Alpe D'Huez in 1997 NOT 1998, and was riding a Wilier bike which, although pretty awesome looking, is not what I want to build. Forgive me I am not a procycling historian.

So anyway, it seems like I should focus on Stage 15 of the 1998 Tour which travelled 189km from Grenoble to Les Deux Alpes with the climbs of Croix de Fer, Telegraphe, Galibier and obviously Les Deux Alpes. If you would like a taste of Pantani at his rocket-fuelled best check out this Youtube gem...

I'm lucky enough to have seen the Tour in 2012 on the roadside of Galibier and Lautaret so I have a pretty good idea what a bitch these hills must be to climb so it does pain me slightly to  readjust my promise to the blogosphere from climbing Alpe D'Huez, to climbing Col du Galibier before next year's Tour. Im going the easier way up too, OK?



Voeckler (Europcar) in Yellow on descent of Galibier 2012 [JRS]

Having at last pinned down exactly my most inspirational Pantani stage, it thankfully took me only a few Google-minutes (multiply by 7 for real-life minutes) to determine what kind of bike Il Pirata was riding.....a Bianchi Mega Pro XL EV2. Easy!

So this weeks plan: TRAWL INTERWEB FOR CHEAP PANTANI FRAME.

Cant foresee any problems with that, so I promise to update tomorrow.