Riders from the Lampre-Caffita team spent the second rest day of the Giro d'Italia riding on the track. But we're not talking wooden boards and bankings here. Rather, in order to get away from the traffic, Gilberto Simoni and his team-mates had a couple of hours of light training on the motor racing track at Monza.
"It was important today to pedal without the stress of the traffic. This moment in Monza have given us good moment useful to relax" said Giuseppe Martinelli, Technical Director of Lampre-Caffita team.
Simoni then spent the afternoon relaxing and with his batteries suitably recharged, plans to contest the Giro lead over the race's five remaining days. " I'm conscious the next days will be difficult but I don't want to surrender," he said. "From Thursday I will attack again. As rivals I see Di Luca and Savoldelli, both strong and determined, but I don't underestimate Garate and Caucchioli. Damiano Cunego will be an important team-mate to take time on the mountains."
Cunego seems to be now committed to a role as Simoni's helper, despite the original expectation that he would be a contender for victory this year. "I hope to do well in the next days," he said. "My targets now are to help Simoni to win this Giro and to try to win a stage."
Cunego was philosophical about his disastrous ride on stage 11, where he lost six minutes to the leaders and all chance of winning this Giro. "The bad experience of Zoldo Alto will certainly be useful for my career," he said.
