June 21, 2006

Simoni finishes 3rd at the Giro d'Italia



Simoni's “Giro d’Italia Special Edition” bikes

What a fantastic show! Stage 20 of the Giro, from Trento to Aprica, was impressive. It featured the Gavia climb, the Cima Coppi and the Mortirolo climb. Ivan "the Terrible" Basso (CSC) took one more stage victory, just ahead Gilberto Simoni, who crossed the finish line with the bitter taste of another stage win escaping him. Gibo showed his strength and climbing skills as he worked together with Basso to leave other rivals behind. The whole SAUNIER DUVAL-PRODIR team was quite active once again. Basso, however, lifted the pace, and Simoni could no longer hold his wheel. Too bad for Gibo, who had dreamt of grabbing at least this stage victory in this edition of the Giro. He looked disappointed after crossing the finish line, unable to conceal his sadness. Gilberto´s performance was spotless during the last three weeks, but there was someone who was stronger than him, someone "out of this world," as Gibo himself has described Basso.

At Passo di Gavia, a bunch of riders broke away to fight for the mountains classification and pay homage to Fausto Coppi. Juan Manuel Gárate (Quick Step-Innergetic), yesterday´s victor, was the first to reach the top. Then, the pink jersey group formed, numbering 25 men, including Simoni, Piepoli and Lobato. The efforts of the SAUNIER DUVAL-PRODIR men were formidable: they toughened the course, managing to slim down the leading group to fifteen. Basso also sped up the pace, and only Gibo succeeded in catching his wheel. The Eddo descent was another difficult stretch, as chasers José Enrique Gutiérrez and Damiano Cunego are very good on descents. Gibo took the bull by the horns and his efforts in working with Basso were generous indeed. Both men took the last climb together and they stayed together until Basso lifted his pace, sprinting to fight for victory in a finale in which one had to win.

Be that as it may, SAUNIER DUVAL-PRODIR will finish their Giro with positive results and holding their heads high as a noble team, always up front, a team which picked up two stage victories (Piepoli´s feat) and put a larger-than-life Simoni on the podium (3rd).