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93rd Tour de France - presented by

3 July

Simoni and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
Simoni Helping the Young

Simoni and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
Stage List, Stage Profile

Simoni riding during stage one, photo: Bicirace.com

Gilberto Simoni is relaxed and calm in this Tour de France. Sure il Trentino is only 37 back on the general classification but he is not thinking about riding a Tour for the overall lead; his goals are a stage win and helping out his Saunier Duval-Prodir mates.

Usually every morning Gibo will hang out in the team bus, making an appearance at the sign in, mostly talking to the Italian media, before returning to the team bus. The stage starts and Gilberto will help out some of the younger members on the team with positioning and deciding tactics for the day. The team is fielding three young rides (born after 1981) in this year's Tour and these young-guns they need all the advice they can get.

Today it was one of those riders, David De La Fuente, who made the day long escape. After being away for 200K with a fellow Spaniard, De La Fuente earned the mountain's Maillot Blanc à Pois Rouges. All of the team, including Simoni, will be happy with the young rider's performance and share a bit of Champagne tonight at the dinner table.

Expect to see De La Fuente in the polka-dot jersey tomorrow next to a proud Simoni.

Eddi!