Italian prosecutors have reopened an inquiry into the death of cyclist Marco Pantani after his family presented what it says is evidence he was murdered.
Marco Pantani, who won the 1998 Tour de France, was ruled to have died of a cocaine overdose after being found dead in his room on February 14, 2004.
His mother believes Marco Pantani, who was 34 when he died, was murdered.
Italian prosecutors have reopened an inquiry into the death of cyclist Marco Pantani (photo Il Calcio Magazine)
Tonina Pantani alleges he was beaten and forced to drink a lethal dose of cocaine dissolved in liquid.
“We have just received documents sent by those close to [Marco Pantani] and we have opened an investigation,” said Paolo Giovagnoli, the public prosecutor in Rimini, where Marco Pantani’s body was found.
“We will read them and if we decide to proceed with a new investigation, we will appoint an examining magistrate to do so.”
In the year of his victory in the Tour de France, Marco Pantani also won the Giro d’Italia.
Tonina Pantani told La Repubblica newspaper: “I will never stop until I see the truth written about Marco…”
The Pantani family says the marks found on Marco Pantani’s body show he had been beaten, and the high amount of cocaine found in his system suggested he had swallowed the drug, which it claims is something he would not have done willingly.
British police has released the footage of an irate woman that has been captured on camera chasing after and scuffling with a cyclist in a country lane.
The video on YouTube shows the slim red head catching up with the cyclist and pushing him as the pair argue.
The older looking man in wellington boots, Barbour style jacket and flat cap had been holding up traffic behind him in a country lane.
The woman appears to have raced from a car which was being slowed down by the bike in a country lane.
She is seen catching up with the cyclist, pushing him and kicking out as both raise their arms towards each other.
British police has released the footage of an irate woman that has been captured on camera chasing after and scuffling with a cyclist in a country lane
Police released the YouTube video in a bid to trace the people involved in the incident which is believed to have happened at around 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, January 28.
The road where the incident took place was the B4425 at Ampney Coln near Bibury in Gloucestershire.
A police spokesman said: “On this day a woman called Gloucestershire Police to report that she had been assaulted by a cyclist who had been holding up traffic.
“Officers have made a number of enquiries to locate this woman but it appears that the contact details she gave were incorrect.
“As part of their enquiries officers seized footage that had been posted on YouTube that is believed to be connected to the same incident.
“The footage shows a man cycling along a road when he is approached by a woman on foot who pushes him; they then get into an altercation.
“Investigating officers have been working to identify the individuals, but to no avail. They are now turning to the public for their help.”
The people in the film, or anyone who witnessed the incident, have been asked to phone Gloucestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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