Simeoni at Giro presentation

Filippo Simeoni will attend the Giro d'Italia presentation in Venice on Saturday. The reigning Italian road champion was looking forward to the race in May.

"I won't be missing this event [the presentation] for the Centenario [100-year anniversary - ed.]," Simeoni said. "I'd be really delighted to compete with the maglia tricolore and my team, Ceramica Flaminia - Bossini Docce. After achieving my dream of winning the national title, I have another dream – to win a stage in the Giro with the Italian National Champion jersey."

But Simeoni will have to wait and see if his team gets to participate. "I hope the organisers will make me happy and invite the team. If Lance Armstrong will be at the presentation with his project of solidarity in the fight against cancer, I would also like to [participate] in the campaign to donate blood."

Simoni has been keeping busy this off-season. Last Sunday, Simeoni he rode the course that will be used for the 2010 junior World Championships in Offida, province of Ascoli Piceno. "It is a fantastic route, very challenging and selective. The winner will have to be very strong. I won in Offida in the amateur category, leaving behind all my rivals. At that occasion, the finish was in the historical centre, on the beautiful Piazza del Popolo."

Gianni Spaccasassi, the president of the Società Ciclistica Amatori (Amateur Cycling Union) of Offida, is looking forward to the event. "We are prepared to give everyone a warm welcome. Our city is the ideal destination for tourism of all facets – sports, history, gastronomy..."