Simoni picks MTB marathon over Tour

Former two-time Giro d'Italia winner Gilberto Simoni will not be on the start line at the Tour de France in London. Instead, he will participate in round two of the UCI's Marathon World Cup, the Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike.

"I'm very curious and that's why I'm coming to Niederdorf to have a look at the track on Friday" said Simoni. It's Simoni's first time at the Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike, although he participated in the World Cup opener in Gran Canaria in March.

"Mountain biking is my great passion," said Simoni, who claims he's not really in shape at the moment.. "The atmosphere is super. I'm torn between road and mountain bike races". Simoni said he'd like to be competitive for the marathon, but "I'm sure it will be a tough ride, and I don't know what I have to expect. I'm ready for a holiday, really."

Simoni returns to the road for August.