Marco "The Pirate" Pantani dies
 

Cyclist Pantani, 34, found dead in Italian hotel

Pantani was the last person other than Lance to win the Tour de France. His battles in the mountains were one of the big reasons I started getting interested in and watching the Tour. They said there didn't appear to be any violence and that the cause of death is unknown, but they did find tranquilizers in his room. R.I.P. Marco.

WoW

Edit: For the past few years I had been hoping that he would get his act back together, but had pretty much given up. I hope he didn't give up as well.