Pantani Puts Troubles Behind Him

LE CREUSOT, France —  Marco Pantani was on the verge Saturday of becoming the first Italian in 33 years to win the Tour de France, a race that will be remembered more for its drug scandals.

“I’m very happy because all the bad times I have are now ended with the double of the Giro [Tour of Italy] and the Tour de France,” said Pantani, who suffered a broken leg in two places in a car accident in 1995.

“But my first victory in the Tour de France was most difficult because of all the doping stories and the police,” he said in anticipation of his triumph.

When the Tour ends today, Pantani should become the first winner of the French and Italian races since Miguel Indurain of Spain in 1993.

Pantani held a lead of 3 minutes 21 seconds after Saturday’s 20th stage, virtually assuring him the title.

Defending champion Jan Ullrich won Saturday’s 32.3-mile time trial in 1:03:52, but he was nearly six minutes behind entering the stage.

Barring injury or accident, Pantani will wear the winner’s yellow jersey on the Champs Elysees today, becoming the first Italian winner since Felice Gimondi in 1965.

American Bobby Julich, second at the start of Saturday’s stage, dropped to third, behind Ullrich. He had a 14-second margin over the German at the start of the day.

Nevertheless, Julich was happy with his finish, 4:08 behind Pantani.

“It will be nice to be on the podium with Marco and Jan,” Julich said. “I just hope to make it even better next year.”

Today’s final stage is 91 miles, from Melun to Paris, and with doping revelations, police searches and charges nearly every day since the start of the Tour three weeks ago, the end cannot come soon enough.

Seven people have been placed under formal investigation for doping-related charges.