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News :: Simoni, Scott and Saunier Duval-Prodir

1 February 2006

Simoni, Scott and Saunier Duval-Prodir

Scott and Simoni Together at Saunier Duval-Prodir, photo: BiciRace.com

Wednesday (25 January) in Milano the attention was on one man: Gilberto Simoni. The 2X Giro d'Italia winner was presented along with his new team Saunier Duval-Prodir. The Spanish-Swiss squadra signed the Italian over the winter to give themselves a bonafide contender in the 2006 Giro d'Italia.

"It is evident when you look at the Giro that it will have two faces: Much harder than the Tour [de France] and with more contenders," said Simoni in Milano. "Rujano, Di Luca, but above all Basso... And don't forget Cunego who will be out for redemption. With respect to all of them I have a great advantage: I have won the Giro two times."

Matxin, M Algeri, Simoni, P Algeri, photo: BiciRace.com

Another advantage for Simoni is his new squadra. 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."

Scott Delivers Fresh Air

Simoni Rides In, photo: BiciRace.com

The Scott is duro, which I find good for a climbing. - Gilberto Simoni, 2X Giro d'Italia champion, regarding his new Scott CR1

The Giro Champion has the advantage of Scott USA for 2006, the machine of choice for Algeri and Mauro Gianetti's team. The American frame manufacturer has been supplying the yellow squadra for the last three years, and they are working hard to please the team's newest signing. "The Scott is duro [hard or stiff], which I find good for a climbing because of the responsiveness," said Simoni. "Compared to the Cannondale [in 2005 Simoni rode on a Six13] ... The Cannondale was softer, but it was also nice."

The Team Machine, photo: BiciRace.com

"I have also been training on the new time trial bike, also in all-carbon," continued Simoni. He then looks to Adrian Montgomery to confirm the name, "It is called 'Plasma'. ... This February we are going to United States for the Tour of California but above all it will be to test the new bikes in the wind tunnel."

Montgomery confirmed later that Scott is helping setup the aero testing for the yellow squadra. Simoni, José Angel Gomez Marchante, Koldo Gil will visit the tunnel in San Diego after the end of the eight day stage race (19 - 26 February), and they will also be joined by David Millar, who is flying over especially for the occasion.

The Smooth CR1 Carbon, photo: BiciRace.com

In this year's Giro there are two serious TT's, a 38K team TT (stage 5) and a 50K individual test near the Vespa headquarters of Pontedera (stage 11). "I will refine my position on the bike [with Scott at the wind tunnel] for the time trials in the 2006 Giro d'Italia. There are a lot of TT kilometers but the mountains will be a factor as well," said Simoni "... I am confident, now I know that I have a team which will be all for me."

Read:
Saunier Duval-Prodir Squadra a Milano, 26 January
Saunier Duval-Prodir to Cali and Wind Tunnel, 5 January
Simoni Starts Season Today, 21 December
Gilberto Simoni to California, 30 November
Simoni Scouts Plan de Corones, 19 November

1 February News ...