Pantani, while retaining much of his popularity with the public, found himself constantly in dispute with the authorities - cycling's governing bodies and the Italian government - and became increasingly paranoid, convinced he was being unfairly targeted as cycling attempted to clean up its act
Pantani, ngakhale adakali wotchuka kwambiri ndi anthu, adapezeka kuti sakumvana ndi akuluakulu - mabungwe oyendetsa mpikisano wa njinga ndi boma la Italy - ndipo adayamba kunjenjemera, akukhulupirira kuti samaonedwa mwachilungamo ngati  ochita nawo mpikisano wa njinga yemwe akufuna kusintha.