Now in its fifth year the GF Marco Pantani commemorates one of cycling’s most inspiring yet misunderstood characters. Pantani, whose bandana and attacking style earned him the nickname ‘Il Pirata’, came to prominence in the 1994 Giro stage to Aprica. Since his tragic death in 2004 Aprica has hosted the Gran Fondo which climbs two of the iconic climbs that Pantani forged his reputation on.