Pantani found dead

Pantani's troubled ride Pantani's career in pictures

Italian cycling star Marco Pantani has been found dead in a hotel in Rimini.

The 34-year-old climbing specialist, nicknamed "The Pirate", won the 1998 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.

But his career was blighted by doping allegations after he was thrown out of the 1999 Giro d'Italia for failing a blood test.

"I'm devastated, it's a tragedy of enormous proportions for the entire cycling world," said fellow cyclist Mario Cipollini.

Pantani's body was found by a member of the hotel staff on Saturday evening.

Investigators ordered an autopsy on Monday to determine the cause of death but violence was immediately ruled out.

Magistrate Paolo Gengarelli said there were no illegal drugs in the room but 10 packages of prescription sedatives were found at the scene, some empty and some started.

He withdrew into himself. He was alone Italian cyclist Felice Gimondi

The coach of the Italian national cycling team Franco Ballerini said: "It's something that is so huge, it doesn't seem true."

Pantani, who spent the last few years fighting for his reputation, last raced in the 2003 Giro, finishing 14th.

But soon after he entered a health clinic specialising in the treatment of depression and drug addiction.

Pantani was the first Italian to win the Tour de France, cycling's premier race, since Felice Gimondi in 1965.

Whatever you feel about his recent problems he was a great character of the sport and the end seems so sad for a great rider From Neil Yardley Have your say on Grandstand

Gimondi, who coached Pantani for two years, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: "I am shocked and traumatised.

"Marco has paid a very dear price for everything. For years he was in the eye of the cycling storm after being world number one.

"He then withdrew into himself. He was alone."

Gengarelli said that Pantani, who had been treated at a clinic recently for depression, had written "some thoughts" on hotel stationery but it was not a farewell note.

Cycling mourns Pantani

Spain's five-time Tour winner, Miguel Indurain, called Pantani a "tragic genius".

Pantani was the last man to win the Tour before American Lance Armstrong embarked on a record-equalling five straight victories.

But his career went into free-fall when he was ejected from the 1999 Giro while in the lead after failing a test for haematocrit - an indicator, though not proof, of the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

MARCO PANTANI FACT FILE 1970: Born on 13 Jan in Cesena, Italy 1992: Makes professional debut 1995: Bronze in World Championships 1998: Won Giro d'Italia and Tour de France 1999: Thrown out of Giro for failing blood test 2001: Syringe of insulin found in Pantani's room during Giro 2002: Banned for eight months but wins appeal 2003: Spends year battling for reputation in court. June - books into clinic for depression and drug use. October - acquitted of sporting fraud

Scandal followed Pantani, and during the 2001 Giro a syringe containing traces of insulin was found in his hotel room in a police raid.

Pantani insisted the syringe had been planted and that he did not stay in the room on the night in question.

A court dismissed his claim for lack of proof, and he was suspended for six months but he was acquitted of sporting fraud in October last year.

Pantani's team Mercatone Uno were not invited to take part in the centenary Tour de France last year.

Pantani, who was also third in the Tour in 1994 and 1997, began his career with the Carrera team.