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93rd Tour de France - presented by

4 July

Simoni and Saunier Duval-Prodir Updates
Sprint Advice from Simoni

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

De La Fuente, King of the Mountains, photo: Makoto.Ayano/ CyclingTime.com

It was blazing hot when we caught up with Saunier Duval-Prodir DS Matteo Algeri. We were talking of his team's success with De La Fuente in the Polka-dot jersey, a coup that every team member was happy about, including Gilberto Simoni.

Matteo confirmed that Simoni was excited for the young Spaniard. "Gibo is giving advice everyday to all the riders," said Algeri before stage 3. "In the morning, at the team meetings, Gibo will always add his advice. It was funny the other morning. Gibo interrupted to tell Ventoso [team's sprinter] that he should move up in the peloton a little later to start his sprint. He said, 'Don't move up in the final 30 kilometers, wait until five kilometers to go to make you move up front. Follow the wheel of McEwen, the guy is a genius.'"

De La Fuente, photo: Makoto.Ayano/ CyclingTime.com

On a team of nine riders, one rider usually has a hotel room to himself, while the others are two to a room. This honor usually goes to the team captain; we asked Algeri if Simoni was bunking alone... "No. He is with... I believe he is rooming with Rinero. Millar is the one who has the room to himself."

We wish Simoni the best of luck... keep cool!