Cycling fans are accustomed to seeing diminutive climbers like Gilberto Simoni in the heat of the action in the Dolomites – but it's normally during the Giro d'Italia in May and not in the dead of winter. However, on December 5th, the climber from Palù di Giovo in Trentino was in the thick of it whilst racing in the Cycling Ski Challenge at the Dolomiti Stars in the colours of Sidi.
The two-time Giro d'Italia champion was having a bit of fun on the ski slopes, going up against team-mates new and old on the Costabella giant slalom run on the San Pellegrino pass. Gibo also went up against some of cycling's best known names, including Moreno Argentin, Claudio Chiappucci, Silvio Martinello, Dimitry Konychev, Riccardo Magrini, Andrea Peron, Mario Scirea and the two Trento natives Maurizio Fondriest and Francesco Moser.
"It was a lot of fun," commented Simoni. "It's been a while since I've put on downhill skis, but I couldn't miss this challenge. Lately I've been more into Alpine skiing and Nordic Skiing, and I must say that this giant slalom was very exciting and the competition in the race was truly fierce. Some of my team-mates ski extremely well. A special thanks to my friends in the Dolomiti Stars who really organized a splendid event."
Simoni realized a good performance on the track of the giant slalom closing in 12th place in the race won by Andrea Peron. .
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