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26 January 2006

25 January News ...

Saunier Duval-Prodir Squadra a Milano

Yesterday in Milano was the presentation of Saunier Duval-Prodir. The Spanish-Swiss squadra was pulling off an early season twofer by having back to back presentations, Tuesday in Spain and Wednesday in Italy. The crew was looking a little knackered from two weeks of training, followed by the double presentations, but everyone flashed a smile when BiciRace.com visited in Milano.

If there is one team that really went on a hiring binge over the winter and scored two huge names in ciclismo, it is Saunier Duval-Prodir. The yellow Squadra made waves over the off season with the signing of Gilberto Simoni and David Millar to bolster their already talented lineup. The Italian is a 2X winner of the Giro d'Italia and the Brit is making on his return to cycling.

"I don't care what they say about us anyway
I don't care 'bout that" - Weezer (played during presentation)

The signings are big investments by the team's backers but ones with heart. "People ask us why we choose to sponsor cycling, we do it without thinking of financial returns, we do it because of the passion," said Saunier Duval Italy Manager, Flavio Borgna. "That passion was fueled by Mauro Gianetti [Team Manager] and we give a big thanks to him for bring us into this great sport."

The Spanish-Swiss Squadra

Borgna then turned the mike over to Davide Cassani and Alessandro Fabretti to get down to business of introducing the squadra in their yellow kits. One of the riders who really had a lot to say was Manuele Mori. The Toscano took the mike and started an interesting dialogue with Casani involving his family's history in the sport. Mori said that "above all I want to win the Milano-Sanremo. I will give it a go on the Via Roma."

One of the team's new signings, from Liquigas-Bianchi, is Luciano Pagliarini. The Brazilian is looking to put a win on the boards after a dry 2005 that included many second and third placings. Pagliarini will probably skip the Giro, saying "no the Mortirolo is really not for me [laughs]. Gibo will have his full support for the race."

Two riders that are likely to be at the race to support the 2X Giro champion are Leonardo Piepoli and Marco Pinotti. The older, and much balder, Piepoli will be a key man for Simoni in the mountains and pledged his support: "I will be there for Gilberto at the Giro." L'ingegnere, Pinotti, just returned from riding the Track World Cup in Los Angeles and hearing jokes about becoming the next Erik Zabel, who races and trains all year. The Bergamasco dismissed this saying, "I don't ride on Christmas".

Simoni and Millar See Yellow

Gibo can use the help, he will have his hands full in the first week of the Giro before it reaches the home country. "In Belgium it will be tough," said the Trentino. "There are some tough stages and the Belgian teams will be going hard to win in front of their sponsors and fans."

Simoni's change of teams should be a big asset. He will now have a crew of dedicated workers who will back him for his third victory, unlike last two years where there was a row between him and Cunego. "I changed teams to try something new but it is like being back at home ... With Pietro Algeri I have placed first and third at the Giro."

"Bang! Bang a knock on the door
Another big bang you're down on the floor" - Weezer

Attention was soon shifted to July and La Grand Boucle. David Millar will make his anticipated return to cycling 1 July with the prologue on the streets of Strasbourg. The Brit is relaxed and ready for his return from a two year drug suspension. "You can win bigger races without drugs and you can do it all clean," said Millar.

Millar was not just relaxed on stage but even shared a light moment with BiciRace.com when we both got shafted on our caffè order. The Brit comes across as himself and there are no lies. "I have to pay my respects to cycling and come back better with a good and clear voice," continued Millar. "Sure it is hard, I lost it all, but that is normal because punishment is supposed to be hard. Thanks to Saunier Duval-Prodir for giving me that second chance, that is so often not seen in life, to try to comeback for a renaissance."

The last note before we left Milano was our North American friends: Piotr Mazur, Charles Dionne and Aaron Olson. All three are new signings to the yellow squadra and BiciRace.com will keep an eye on them. Especially Piotr, who seemed more Polish than Canadian to us. We will leave that up to Dionne to sort out.

The Spanish-Swiss Crew:
Aaron Olson, Alberto Fernández De La Puebla, Ángel Gómez Gómez, Arkaitz Durán, Carlos Zarate Fernández, Charles Dionne, Christophe Rinero, David Cañada, David De La Fuente, David Millar, Francisco José Ventoso, Gilberto Simoni, Guido Trentin, Javier Mejías, José Alberto Benítez, José Angel Gomez Marchante, Juan José Cobo, Koldo Gil, Leonardo Piepoli, Luciano Pagliarini, Manuele Mori, Marco Pinotti, Nicolas Fritsch, Oliver Zaugg, Piotr Mazur, Riccardo Riccò, Rubén Lobato, Rubens Bertogliati

Director Sportivo:
Joxean Matxin, Pietro Algeri, Matteo Algeri and Sabino Angoitia

Read:
Saunier Duval-Prodir Signs David Millar, 15 December
Saunier Duval-Prodir Add Riccò and Trentin, 24 November
Saunier Duval-Prodir Team Update for 2006, 18 October
Rinero and Pagliarini to Saunier Duval-Prodir, 24 September
The Details of Simoni's Saunier Decision, 22 October
Dionne and Olson to Saunier Duval-Prodir, 2 September

25 January News ...