June 27, 2007

Stellar teamwork puts Gibo within podium reach

Two words, “Team Domination”, sum up this years Giro d’Italia for Saunier Duval-Prodir. Two-time Giro champion Gilberto Simoni proves once again he can conquer the most demanding mountain stages in Europe, as he and teammate Leonardo Piepoli crossed the finish line 31 seconds ahead of overall race leader Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) in stage 17 today. Simoni last tasted victory on the slopes Monte Zoncolan in 2003, during which he won three stages (12, 14, 19) and the overall GC. Gibo’s last Giro stage win took place in ’04 during stage 3. Today’s victory places Simoni in a podium position, 2’28” behind the Maglia Rosa and only four seconds behind second place rider Andy Schleck and more than one minute ahead of fourth place rider Damiano Cunego.



The young, prodigious Ricardo Ricco’s inaugural Giro has launched him to new heights in his career, as he took top five in stage 10, second in stage 4, and then an exceptional mountain top victory in stage 15 on the savage slopes of Tre Cime Di Lavaredo. Ricco has all but wrapped up a second place overall in the young riders category and is currently sitting sixth in the GC.



Veteran rider Leonardo Piepoli has perhaps shined the brightest amongst the red birds as he valiantly performed his domestique duties in assisting Simoni and Ricco to victory in arguably the two most difficult stages in the Giro. Piepoli also claimed his third career Giro stage win during stage 10 on the steep climbs of Santuario Nosta Signora. Leonardo’s efforts and stage winning performance earned him the green jersey in the mountains classification. The trio’s cohesive efforts currently put them in the lead in the team classification.