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5 May 2006

07 May News ...

Special Scott for Simoni

Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir) will be riding the 89th Giro d'Italia on a special bicycle from Scott USA. The bicycle firm has constructed a carbon monocoque frame in the colors of black and pink for the two-time Giro champion. The frame, size 52cm, weighs in at 840g without fork, or 6.8Kg complete.

On the seat tube designers have created an image of the La Torre di Pisa, both of which have the same leaning angle. On the top tube there is Gibo's name, last name, photo and date of birth represented in barcode format. (We did not have a barcode scanner to prove this!) On the seat stays, for the convenience of the riders left in Gibo's wake, is the itinerary of the 2006 Giro d'Italia.

Gibo will use this new frame starting Sunday, in the first road stage from Mons to Charleroi, 197K.

"I started off as a child with a small bike, then a bigger bike, and finally a road bike. All of them were passed-down from my older brothers," said the 2001 and 2003 Giro winner. "Now at my house I have the two bikes that I used to win the two Giros, a mountain bike, a cruiser-type bike and a road bike. ... I am in love with bicycles: the form, the mechanics, the movement..."

What do you take with you when you train? "Just my mobile phone, turned-off, money for a caffè, and in my pocket a panino or energy bar. I like the energy bar for training and the panino for racing... But now they make the bars so tasty that you can't tell the difference."

And for the Giro, what have you brought with you? "A pillow, a scale and drawing from my daughter Sofia. She is three years-old and the drawing is similar to a Picasso."

Gibo, friend of Italian singer Zucchero, listens to the music of Bon Jovi and the Cranberries. He is enjoys for watching auto racing, skiing in the winter, and watching cartoons (his favorite is Asterix).

Read:
Experienced Gibo for Giro, 2 May
Gilberto Simoni Interview, 23 March
Simoni Tries BiciRace.com, 18 March
Simoni, Scott and Saunier Duval-Prodir, 1 February

Il Passo Lanciano for Di Luca

"I only battle what I know I can overcome. If someone says that I can't win Roubaix, then they have reason. At the Giro I have a different idea." These are the words of Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) on the eve of his first ever full push for winning the La Corsa Rosa. The 89th Giro d'Italia starts tomorrow from Seraing and l'Abruzzese will be one of the hot favorites to wear, if not win, the Maglia Rosa.

"At my house would be a good time," said Di Luca in regards to when he wants to take the coveted Maglia Rosa. "We have talked that this should be the first stage of first significance." The Killer is referring to stage 8, from Civitanova Marche to Maielletta, which finishes with the 24K climb of il Passo Lanciano. (Stage 8 Profile)

"I will watch not one, but two riders: Basso and Simoni. A level slightly below them is Cunego and Savoldelli. ... I have worked a lot on my position and bike materials for the time trials, my weak point. ... I feel like a climber. ... And if it comes down to a sprint of the favorites, only Cunego is faster than me. So I can gain bonus seconds when needed, even if this Giro won't be decided on seconds.

Read:
2006 Giro d'Italia Favorites, 4 May
The Killer Rides Unafraid, 3 May

Sprint Royale: McEwen and Petacchi

McEwen and Petacchi will be the sprint gods of this 89th Giro d'Italia. The Aussie and Italian will have slim-pickings when it comes to stages that suit their tree trunk thighs, but when those stages do arrive the tifosi can scoot to the edge of their seats in anticipation of a sprint royale.

"The second, fourth, sixth and ninth stages, beyond that I have not looked," said Aussie Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto), with eight total Giro wins in his palmarès. The first opportunity will, as McJet notes, will be stage 2: a run from Mons to Charleroi, 197K. (Stage 2 profile)

"I saw a very strong Petacchi a couple of weeks ago in Germany, but this is nothing new. He does not frighten me," said McJet, already letting loose with verbal warfare. There will be some camaraderie: "Our Davitamon-Lotto team will have to work with the Milram train of Petacchi to make sure we arrive at a sprint. Maybe also there will be help from Gerolsteiner [for Förster] and T-Mobile [for Pollack]."

Petacchi, who has not liked the 2006 Giro parcours since they were announced last November, continues to criticize, "It will be a hard finale to the Giro for me: there are switchbacks, some sterrato, and a lot of pavé. I don't think that a sprinter can battle Bettini when there are any climbs in the stage."

But, will you try to take the Maglia Rosa? "It will be very difficult because the specialists in the opening time trial will open up gaps of 20 seconds."

Mark you calendars for stage two on Sunday, when we are sure to see a street fight as the peloton approaches the final kilometers into the Wallonne city of Charleroi. Ci vediamo!

Read:
McEwen and Petacchi Head Sprints, 3 May

89th Giro d'Italia, 6 - 28 May
Main, Startlist, Classifications, Giro Favorites
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
2005 Giro d'Italia

4 May News ...