Saunier Duval looks forward

Despite containing one of the race's favourites, Gilberto Simoni, the Saunier Duval team has not lit up the Giro so far. The yellow-clad Spanish squad has rarely been out of the action, but its best finish has been Leonardo Piepoli's sixth place in stage eight. The team's strategy has appeared to be to limit its losses in the first phase of the race, and keep Simoni positioned to attack in the second.

After stage 10, Simoni is in eighth overall, and three minutes and twenty seconds down on race leader Ivan Basso (CSC). Simoni's directeur sportif Pietro Algeri said in a team newsletter Tuesday that as far as he in concerned the real race starts after today's rest day.

"I believe we can do better in the second part of the Giro," said Algeri. "Saunier Duval-Prodir is a team with many young riders, so most of them don't have much experience in the grand tours. They may be tired, but we have our team in full, without having sustained injuries or suffered falls, and our motivation is up here. The second half is all for Gibo! Now that the real Giro begins, we have two clear goals in mind: grabbing a stage victory and clinching a podium spot."

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1