Pantani, the strong leader, had a huge lead and seemed unbeatable. However, on the morning of the penultimate stage, he was disqualified from the Giro after a blood test showed an elevated hematocrit, which was seen as a sign of doping. Subsequent investigations and revelations suggested that the Neapolitan mafia may have played a role in falsifying his blood results to force him out of the race, as they would otherwise have suffered losses.