“Stronger than ever” was the headline of the team presentation for 2007 on Saunier Duval’s own website. However this remains to be seen and the 29 riders of Mauro Gianetti will have a year to prove it. At least we can expect them whenever mountains show up.


Frustrated Tour-hero Iban Mayo packed his bags and left Euskaltel to join the ranks of Saunier Duval. Another misunderstood rider in his home country, Remmert Wielinga, figured Quickstep had too high expectations of him and got another chance at the squad of Gianetti. And let’s not forget about Jesus del Nero, the very all-round Spaniard who loves to get involved in a sprint and who is capable of following his competitors uphill.


Time trial specialist Pinotti was replaced with Raivis Belohvosciks. Talents from the other side of the ocean, Canadian Dionne (Colavita) and American Olsen (T-Mobile) already left after a year and got replaced by neo Raúl Alarcón. For a long time it seemed like Welshman Geraint Thomas would get a definitive spot for 2007 after his internship, but the young track rider chose an adventure at the British Team Barloworld.


The goals for Saunier Duval are pretty clear this year. Simoni will be the team leader in the Giro and with Mayo, Piepoli, Ricco and Wielinga he will be assured of a nice bunch of helpers. The Italian will not ride the Tour, which has been assigned to Millar and Gomez Marchante this year. The last one would rather achieve victory in the Vuelta, however, and if the Spaniard can be fit for the entire three weeks that seems to be an achievable goal.


During spring, Belohvosciks, Cobo, Del Nero and Pagliarini will be representing the team. Decent riders who will make the team look good, although a victory doesn’t seem a reasonable expectation for these guys. Pagliarini will be the main sprinter in these stages, but the Brazilian will have to improve a lot if he wants to seriously start competing for victory.


The squad should rather put it’s money on the fast Ventoso who can be expected at the front more regularly. Furthermore David Millar and Koldo Gil have their own objectives this year. Where Millar solely focuses on the prologue in London, Koldo Gil will aim for the shorter stage races.


New:
Iker Camano, Iban Mayo (Euskaltel), Raivis Belohvosciks (Universal Caffé), Jesus del Nero (3 Molinos Resort), Remmert Wielinga (Quickstep), Raúl Alarcón (neo)


Departed:
Aaron Olsen, Marco Pinotti (T-Mobile), Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner), Charles Dionne (Colavita), Nicolas Fritsch (amatures)