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Interviews :: Pietro Algeri

Pietro Algeri, Saunier Duval-Prodir

20 March 2006

24 Years of DS Know-How

Pietro Algeri Gives an Interview, photo: BiciRace.com

Pietro Algeri, Director Sportivo for Saunier Duval-Prodir, is loaded with race knowledge and know-how. We can be thankful for his broken nose, this is what led the Bergamasco to the world of cycling and it is a richer sport because of him. Pietro made his start riding as a professional on the historic Team Bianchi before transitioning to a director sportivo. That change was 24 years ago with Del Tongo and since then he has worked with some of the brightest and best in the business, including his most recent recruit: Gilberto Simoni. BiciRace.com caught up with Pietro before the start of his 2006 season...

Broken Nose to Team Bianchi

Matteo, Marco, Paolo, Pietro, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

BiciRace.com:  Hello Pietro and Happy New Year! Thanks for taking the time out to join BiciRace.com for an interview. Will you describe to the BiciRace.com readers how you were introduced to cycling?
Pietro Algeri:  I had been convinced to start by the local child's cycling team in my little city of Torre de Roveri [in the province of Bergamo]. Before becoming a cyclist I used to train myself in a gymnastic center because I wanted to become a boxer! After the first match I had broken my nose so I decided to turn to cycling!
BR:  And is it true you are a past world champion on the track?
PA:  I've been 1971 team trial pursuit World Champion in Varese.
BR:  And then you raced on the road as a professional for Team Bianchi from 1973 to 1981. What type of rider were you?
PA:  Passista [Passista is a rider who can maintain a high tempo for a long period of time, but is not a pure sprinter. In stage races this type of rider will usually ride high in the GC but might never win a stage.]
BR:  And with Del Tongo in 1982 you started your career as a team director. Now, 24 years later, how has cycling changed?
PA:  Well, until 1984, when [Francesco] Moser beat the hour record for the first time, cycling was an "old-style" sport. After that event cycling changed deeply: more specific training, more technology (Just think about the weight of the bikes!) and in general the average level of riders has grown year after year.
BR:  Yes, the bikes have become considerably lighter and more responsive. What do you think of the Scott carbon bikes, compared to the old steel frames?
PA:  Well, from my point of view the Scott carbon bikes are the best on the market, in the three years my team used them, I haven't seen one cyclist having problems with them! And the guys working at Scott are great and very helpful with our team.
BR:  So Scott USA has worked a lot with your with Saunier in developing their frames over the past three years?
PA:  Yes, a lot. Our mechanics are close to the best in the peloton, and they helped Scott to develop the actual frame. And not just the frame, Fulcrum wheels are now developing a new type of time trial wheel based on an idea of mine and our chief mechanic [Andrea] Nieri.

The Special Saunier Days

Simoni and Algeri Discuss food, photo: BiciRace.com

BR:  You worked with Andrea Tafi in the past, how was it to be joined with him again in his last year (2005) as a professional?
PA:  Well... I felt honored when Andrea decided to finish his career with my team and I'm feeling the same sensation now with Gilberto [Simoni] in the team... Well, this means that in 24 years as a DS I am leaving a good impression on pro-cyclists, and this makes me happy, very happy.
BR:  Were the days leading up to last year's Paris-Roubaix special for you and Andrea?
PA:  Yes, very special, because Andrea demonstrated for yet another time how meticulous and honest he is, preparing for the last race of his career even with a fever and a cold.
BR:  Was this race, his last race, an emotional race for you and Andrea?
PA:  Yes. There are a lot of thoughts that link us to this particular race.
BR:  Since starting with Saunier Duval-Prodir in 2004, besides this time with Andrea, what have been some of your favorite wins as a director?
PA:  Francisco José Ventoso at the first stage of the Tour of Qatar 2004 and also the fifth place of [Juan Manuel] Gárate at the Giro last year.

La Corsa Rosa with Gilberto Simoni

Pietro Algeri behind the wheel, photo: Graham Watson, Saunier Duval

BR:  For 2006 you are beginning the Giro d'Italia with Gilberto Simoni, how does this change the overall focus of the team compared to 2005?
PA:  Well, it's an easy question: all the Giro team is dedicated to work for Gilberto.
BR:  How has Gilberto changed as a rider since you helped him win in 2001 [with Lampre]?
PA:  He is more dedicated and determined.
BR:  Do you have an idea of who will be the riders to support him on the Giro squadra?
PA:  Leonardo Piepoli, Guido Trentin, Marco Pinotti, Rubens Bertogliati, Manuele Mori, Oliver Zaugg, Rubén Lobato, and the last post is yet to be determined...
BR:  Given that there are so many mountains in this year's Giro, how important will be the Piacenza team time trial (stage 5) and the Pontedera time trial (stage 11)?
PA:  The Pontedera time trial is very important but the Piacenza one is not so important because it's short.
BR:  And the Pontedera will be the lead-out before the big mountains. What particular mountain stages look the most dangerous to you?
PA:  Monte Bondone, Plan de Corones and San Pellegrino... The Giro will be decided in these three stages. [See profiles here: Stage 16 Monte Bondone, Stage 17 Plan De Corones, Stage 19 Passo di San Pellegrino]
BR:  Are you planning to preview those stages with Simoni or some of the other riders?
PA:  Yes. In April we will go with some of his Giro team mates

Passing on the Knowledge

BR:  Very cool. So is the Squadra Gialla, Saunier Duval-Prodir, more of a Spanish or Italian team?
PA:  More Spanish but with an Italian heart beating! [Laughs]
BR:  Is it a nice to have your son, Matteo, in the second team car, like in he was in the 2005 Giro d'Italia?
PA:  Yes... Matteo still needs some time and more experience but he knows this world very well and he'll have a great future as a DS.
BR:  Are you passing on all of your race knowledge on to him?
PA:  Absolutely yes, even if sometimes it's difficult to have him understand all the little "problems" to manage a pro-cycling team.
BR:  Thanks Pietro. We appreciate you taking time out of your early season for a BiciRace.com interview. Good luck to you and the squadra with the rest of the season.
PA:  Thanks to you and I hope to see you soon at the Tirreno Adriatico. Ciao.