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89th Giro d'Italia - presented by

Stage 3, Perwez - Namur, 202K

8 May

Aaron Olson and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
Olson No Stranger to Rain

Aaron Olson and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
Stage List, Stage Profile

It was a gritty stage today for the Saunier Duval-Prodir crew. If you flipped on your television, or connected via internet, you would have seen the squadra gialla at the front of the peloton as they approached the finale in Namur. It is safer for Gilberto Simoni in the front, versus at the back where he can get caught behind a crash.

Today the Giro d'Italia lost sprint superstar, Alessandro Petacchi. Petacchi, like Simoni, knows all the tricks in the race book but still fell victim to a crash. That is why Team DS, Pietro Algeri, is keeping Olson and the other supporting riders at the front, protecting Gibo.

Aaron Olson is no stranger to the rain, having cut his teeth in the soggy northwestern state of Oregon. How did l'Americano ride today in the nasty Belgian rain? "Very good," said Matteo Algeri, Pietro's son, of Saunier Duval-Prodir when BiciRace.com spoke with him in Namur. "It seems that he feels better and better every day."

What is the hardest part for the riders on a wet day like today? "The cold temperature. So they need to keep the clothing warmer, not using a wet mantellina [rain cap]."

The team kits were grey at the end of the day. Who is washing all of the team laundry? "The great and veteran of the Italian masseurs, Pierino Barcella, from Bergamo. This is the 23rd Giro d’Italia for him!"