Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: Marco Pantani ( January 13 , 1970 -- February 14 , 2004 ) was an Italian road racing cyclist , widely considered one of the best climbers in professional road bicycle racing .
Simplified: Marco Pantani ( January 13 , 1970 -- February 14 , 2004 ) was an Italian professional cyclist .