Simoni warns Cunego

**Brock Samson** · May 5th, 2006, 05:49 PM

Saunier Duval's Gilberto Simoni goes into Saturday's Giro with the ambition of winning a third title in this event. The Italian is confident as always and warns his former team-mate and 2004 winner Damiano Cunego that he is on his own this time around.

On Saturday, Gilberto Simoni embarks on his quest to become the oldest rider ever to win the Giro. Gone are the internal rivalries with former team-mate Damiano Cunego. At 35, it's game on for the native of the mountains of Trentino, now sole leader for a different team - Saunier Duval.

Twice winner of the Giro in 2001 and 2003, Simoni was upstaged by then-Saeco team-mate Cunego on the 2004 Giro.

"Cunego is now a captain on his own and he can't hide behind me anymore," Simoni told the French news agency AFP.

"Last year, Basso and Di Luca wore the pink jersey and they liked the taste of it. Salvodelli? He's a humble guy but he can handle himself. He has Danielson with him, which could be an asset," added Simoni who has earned the endorsement of the Discovery Channel leader as the man to beat on this year's Tour of Italy.

The big surprise in 2005 was the presence on the podium of Selle Italia's Venezuelan José Rujano, who Simoni sees as a potential ally in the grueling final week of this year's Giro:

"I'm expecting him to be an ally in the mountains. He's an attacking rider, who likes to take the bull by its horns, a bit like me."

Despite often fading come July, he insists that he's still interested in riding the Tour de France:

"I would like to take part in the Tour, as there will be a finish at the Alpe d'Huez. I would like to concentrate on that stage. However my Spanish team might prefer me to run in the Vuelta...Right now, my mind is on the Giro."

As for tactics... "I have to go into this Giro like a crazy man. We'll see if I'm crazy enough to win it."

**Gman1524** · May 5th, 2006, 06:44 PM

35?

Go.....Go....Go!!!!

I love stories like this.

**Brock Samson** · May 6th, 2006, 05:51 PM

Veterans are taking over!

**MichKar** · May 6th, 2006, 06:04 PM

Isn't it amazing! About 10 years ago (and further) you were out of business at the age of 30something, now you are in your best age with a 3 in front.

Should give me a good feeling, but damn I feel kind a' old now...

cyclopop · May 8th, 2006, 04:18 PM

I like Simoni!
I think he has goods chances to win this Giro because he's a pure climber and the last week fits him perfectly with extremly difficult stages in the Dolomites. Simoni can win if he doesn't loose too much time against Basso and Sav in the time trials.

**fragolino** · May 8th, 2006, 05:00 PM

Simoni isn't the first veteran that can win a tour, however Cunego is more strong for him in this time.
Simoni is a fighter and people like him for this.

**Brock Samson** · May 8th, 2006, 05:02 PM

Simoni has the Tifosi on his side and that may help him in the Dolomites.

Too bad for Pettachi today...

**Brock Samson** · June 1st, 2006, 10:54 AM

The Italian cycling federation is to investigate Gilberto Simoni's claim that Ivan Basso offered him a bribe in the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday, according to the ANSA news service.

Basso won the stage after breaking away from Simoni on the final climb. Afterwards, Simoni claimed Basso had broken an agreement between the two that they would stay together so that Simoni could win the stage. The next day, Simoni accused Basso of trying to bribe him.

"Basso offered me money to gain the stage victory. I don't need charity. For me, he doesn't exist any more," Simoni said.

Basso denied the accusation, saying "I can hold my head high. The disgraceful thing he alleged just didn't happen. I admit I asked him to stay with me on the descent from the Mortirolo, so we could keep our lead until the last climb. But that's all that happened."

Simoni will face a disciplinary committee of the Italian cycling federation next Monday, and may find himself in serious trouble if he can't substantiate the accusation. The burden of proof in such a case lies with the accuser and Simoni may find himself sanctioned by the federation if he cannot convince the tribunal of his claim.

Italian cycling figures have generally been unimpressed with Simoni's allegation. Mario Cipollini, the former sprinter who holds the record for the most number of Giro wins, said, "this sort of thing has always stayed within the riders' pack. They should have sorted it out over a bottle of good wine."

Vittorio Adorni, who won the Giro in 1965 and now works for the UCI, said, "Simoni behaved like a little kid. The informal rule, 'today's my turn and tomorrow yours', has always existed."

Italian Cycling Federation chairman Alcide Cerato accused Simoni of being, "a bad loser."

"It's not the first time he's lashed out at people who've beat him," Cerato added, referring to Simoni's attitude toward then-team-mate Damiano Cunego when Cunego won the 2004 Giro.

Former Fassa Bortolo manager Giancarlo Ferretti, who has been team manager for both riders, said, "both riders are well off and its normally the richest who are tempted to do things like that."

Franco Ballerini, the Italian national team manager, disapproved of the idea that there had even been a gentleman's agreement between the two. "These things shouldn't happen any more because people can bet on stages these days," he said.

cyclopop · June 1st, 2006, 01:39 PM

Simoni is such a great cyclist, it's really sad to see him talking like that, even if it's true... Now he will have to explain to the Italian justice.

wilber · June 6th, 2006, 04:17 PM

Has Simoni ever been able to just shut-up and ride? The guy is always spouting off about something. How many times did he warn Lance he was going to kick his ass in the tour and then not even show up?

A great cyclist who gives me pleasure every time he loses.

**Dial_tone** · June 6th, 2006, 06:30 PM

Imagine this...fake shock

Simoni retracts

Gilberto Simoni has retracted his claim that Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso asked him for payment in return for Basso allowing Simoni to win stage 20 of the Giro.

Simoni was questioned for 80 minutes yesterday by Armando Forgione, attorney for the Italian Cycling Federation, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I never tried to offend Basso," said Simoni, "I didn't want to damage him. I said some wrong things but I didn't want to cause him any damage. These things are part of the dynamics of racing."

Speaking on Simoni's behalf, his lawyer Giuseppe Napoleone said, "Simoni retracted: there was no talk of deals and much less of money. We made clear that Simoni is a racer, not a public relations expert nor a lawyer. It was a matter of a lack of racing sportsmanship. It was all down to interpretation: to go downhill together and then fight for the victory with a sprint was for Simoni something obvious."

The incident that was open to interpretation occurred at Basso and Simoni descended the Mortirolo in stage 20. After Simoni accused Basso of asking for money to give him the stage win, Basso claimed that he had simply asked Simoni to stay with him on the descent.

"Gilberto has confirmed the non-existence of money deals," said Napoleone. "Besides, when he was interviewed immediately after the stage, he said he was disappointed but didn't mention money.

Ivan Basso is due to give his side of the story to the federation later today.