July 06, 2006

Tour Update: Number 141 Gilberto Simoni

www.bicirace.com

141 is the number that Gilberto Simoni will stick on the back of his jersey to start the 93rd Tour de France today. The Tour de France is La Grand Boucle and every rider is proud to be here participating. The Italian from Trento, like all the 176 riders taking part, will feel honored when he attaches the race number to his jersey for the first day of this grandest of tours.

The Saunier Duval-Prodir team will take numbers 141 to 149: 142 is Cañada, 143 De La Fuente, 144 Gomez Marchante, 145 Lobato, 146 Millar, 147 Riccò, 148 Rinero and 149 Ventoso. Three of these riders are able to compete in the young rider classification for riders born later than 1981: De La Fuente, Riccò and Ventoso.

Simoni will push down the start ramp at 15.36 to launch his Tour de France campaign in Strasbourg, a lovely city in eastern France on the German border, a great place for a Kronenbourg beer. (This BiciRace.com reporter has been sampling many of the tasty beers.) 7.1K is on tap for Gibo, who is relaxed and ready.

"Gibo is going fine," said Team DS Matteo Algeri lastnight from the Chateau d'Ill, the team hotel. "He will do a great Tour and it is exciting to have him here." Matteo was busy watching Italy take an impressive win to advance in the football World Cup. "Did you see Millar's bike? Scott has put together a very fast machine for him."

David Millar, Simoni's mate, will start last, at 15.56, for the Saunier Duval-Team. The Scottish rider is a crono specialist, winning the prologue in 2000, taking the Maillot Jaune in the process. Expect to see Millar post a lighting-fast time today in Strasbourg. Sit back, open a Kronenbourg, turn on the television and watch the race!