After yesterday's time trial, it was perfectly clear two-time Giro champion Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Cafitta) isn't giving up the race without a fight. The 33 year-old rode well enough to finish in the top 10, but concedes making up a two minute-plus deficit on the maglia rosa of Paolo Savoldelli will be difficult, though not impossible.
"The worst-case scenario was to lose more than a minute [to Savoldelli]," said Simoni post-stage. "Savoldelli demonstrated he is really strong, but for what it's worth, I don't give up. Ever since we left Reggio Calabria, I have been chasing the [overall] win, and tomorrow, I hope the margin of 2'09 that separates me from Savoldelli is reversed."
