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Gilberto Simoni, Saunier Duval-Prodir

23 March 2006

Il Trentino In Yellow

 

Gilberto Simoni is embarking on his 13th year as a professional. Simoni's career that so far has included two Giro d'Italia wins, and this year he hopes to add a third Maglia Rosa. For 2006 il Trentino (34) will be riding for Saunier Duval-Prodir and back under the guiding force of Pietro Algeri, with whom he won his first Maglia Rosa. BiciRace.com sat down with the Italian just before he started in his first ever Milano-Sanremo. We had a chance to discuss his time in California, Giro reconnaissance and caffè.

California and the Scott Plasma

BiciRace.com:  Ciao Simoni, thanks for taking time for this interview. You just returned from the Tour of California. Did you enjoy the race?
Gilberto Simoni:  Ciao, no problem. California was a beautiful race. Very diverse and full of color.
BR:  Was it a relaxed race for you?
GS:  No, the Tour was very tough and very fast.
BR:  California is great a state for cycling.
GS:  Yes, it was a good course with lots of people at each stage start and end. It really came across as an important race in its first year.
BR:  You have visited California before, for the San Francisco Grand Prix, have you been to other areas in the USA?
GS:  Yes. New York and the factory of Cannondale in Connecticut. It is always nice in the USA because you have the feeling that cycling is very important and on the rise.
BR:  And how did you like San Diego and the time in the Wind Tunnel?
GS:  It was very special. The tunnel is very important. The same place that [Lance] Armstrong used to practice his position. So you have a chance to learn all the secrets.
BR:  Did you learn a lot from the tunnel?
GS:  Well, not too much more than I already knew. But it was really important for testing the materials: bikes, skinsuits and helmets. A lot of the information about my position I had already known.
BR:  There are so many climbs in the last week that will make big time differences. Will time trialing even matter in this year's Giro d'Italia?
GS:  It is important for me because I will need to defend myself. In San Diego it was really an important experience for the squadra, the testing helped build a strong bond with the other riders.
BR:  How does this TT frame compare to the first TT frame you used when you started as a professional 12 years ago?
GS:  The Plasma is the really the first true time trial bike I have ever used. It is really a beautiful bike, in all-carbon, and will make a difference in time trialing.

Welcome to Saunier Duval-Prodir

BR:  When we first talked with you, at the start of the Giro di Lombardia, you did not have a team for 2006 and it was late in the season. Did the lack of a team help motivate you for such a great ride?
GS:  No, I did not go stronger at Lombardia because I was without a team, I went strong at Lombardia because I was strong. It was a good day.
BR:  It was an exciting race, and there were many cheering for you. Then, after Lombardia, you took a complete month off to be with your wife and daughter. Did this break serve you well?
GS:  It gave me time to organize myself. Many things you are not able to do in the season, and this month gave me the time to organize. Plus it was calmer when I knew I had a squadra with Algeri.
BR:  How have you changed as a rider since last riding for Pietro Algeri in 2001?
GS:  I think that back in 2001, with Pietro at Lampre, I was on top as a rider. Then with Saeco I remained that way, and I am still am at the top.
BR:  Every year you kept learning more?
GS:  Yes, for sure. I am still learning, but I believe I have stayed as a top cyclist over the last five years.
BR:  And Matteo, who was on the same team with you in 2001, have you worked with him much?
GS:  Yes and I have trust in him. We will go to some races together starting from now on.

la Corsa Rosa

BR:  Pietro mentioned that you will review the Giro d'Italia stages in April?
GS:  I don't know. We will see. I am familiar with a lot of the stages. Maybe I will go have a look at some of the stages.
BR:  Marco [Pinotti] was saying that stage 7, from Cesena to Saltara, is going to be a tough stage. There is a gravel section on the climb of Monte Catria.
GS:  Really? [We look at the Giro map together and start to talk to Pietro Algeri. Pietro says that it is a hard climb of 12K, completely at 9% gradient.]
BR:  You have to go have an inspection.
GS:  Yes. [We hear more of the stage description from Pietro.] Che Buono! [How nice!]
BR:  But is it too early for any serious moves? To early to take the GC lead?
Pietro:  Yes, maybe. Then the following day to Passo Lanciano [stage 8] will be another hard day.
BR:  Not thinking of the Maglia Rosa, which mountain stage would you want to win?
GS:  [laughs] The stage to Plan de Corones would be bello.
BR:  Yes. You tried that in December?
GS:  Yes, on my mountain bike! It is a gravel road up the the finish. Really tough.
BR:  What about the stage near to your home, the stage [16] to Monte Bondone?
GS:  Yes, that one is very close to my home, and it would be special. But I want to win the Giro. Even without winning a stage. It does not matter.
BR:  What are your other goals for the season after winning the Giro? Would you like to ride the Tour to try and win the Alpe d'Huez?
GS:  It will depend on the team. I would love to go and ride a good Tour and do the Alpe d'Huez. I want to do the Tour, and I want to do the Vuelta, but it will depend on where the team needs me. But that will be it. I won't do too many other races.
BR:  In your opinion who will win the Tour?
GS:  Well, Ullrich looks to be the big favorite. But according to me it will a different rider. It will be that American on Team CSC.
BR:  Bobby Julich?
GS:  Yes, I think Julich is very strong.
BR:  What do you think of Floyd Landis?
GS:  [Pietro and Gilberto discuss gli Americani, Julich and Landis.] Well, he is going strong. He won the Tour of California and then Paris-Nice. Landis will be a serious contender.

Caffè and Spaghetti

BR:  Ok, easier questions for you. Which is your favorite flavor of gelato?
GS:  Yogurt.
BR:  And which is your favorite plate of food? A special Trento plate?
GS:  I like spaghetti with oil and hot peppers.
BR:  Do you like to drink caffè?
GS:  I drink caffè d'orzo [caffè d'orzo is made with barley, and decaffeinated.].
BR:  Did you try Starbucks over in the USA?
GS:  Starbucks! I like it a lot. It is like tea, very big amount and very weak. Not really like an Italian caffè. I also drink normal caffè in Italy, but only in the morning or before races. When I raced with Saeco we were always enjoying a nice caffè before the start.
BR:  Is there an espresso machine in the Saunier Duval-Prodir bus?
GS:  Yes!
BR:  Your favorite team kit over the past years? Lampre, Saunier or Saeco?
GS:  With the new team we are racing in a color that is not often seen in the peloton. Yellow is a good color. I like it a lot. It is also a nicely designed jersey.
BR:  Have you visited BiciRace.com?
GS:  It is in English?
BR:  Yes. Marco [Pinotti] writes a diary on the site.
GS:  Really? He is really good with the computers and always has the computer with him. But for me I don't use the computer much at all. Just for email and then that is it. I will have a look at BiciRace.com.
BR:  Are you able to read English?
GS:  Oh, when I was in America I had a book and tried to learn, but I never really did. My teammates are mostly Spanish so we talk in Spanish. I have an American teammate, Aaron Olson, but I talk with him in Italian. He learned Italian, and also speaks Spanish, so that is how we talk.
BR:  Is the team more of a Spanish team or Italian?
GS:  It is very much a Spanish team. In Italy, OK it is Italian, but otherwise it is a very Spanish team.
BR:  Thanks for your time Gilberto... Good luck, and we hope to see you win your third Giro d'Italia. In bocca al lupo.
GS:  Crepi. Ciao.

For 2006 Gibo will don the Saunier Duval-Prodir jersey, his ninth pro team after having raced for the following teams: Lampre-Caffita (2005), Saeco (2002-2004), Lampre-Daikin (2000-2001), Ballan-Alessio (1999), Cantina Tollo (1998), MG-Technogym (1997), Aki-Gipiemme (1995-1996) and Jolly-Cage (1994).

Read:
A Wind Proven Simoni, 2 March
Simoni, Scott and Saunier Duval-Prodir, 1 February
Saunier Duval-Prodir Squadra a Milano, 26 January
Simoni Starts Season Today, 21 December
Simoni Scouts Plan de Corones, 19 November