Gilberto Simoni and the Giro d'Italia 2008: The Final Act

Gilberto Simoni has been cycling at a high level for a long time. He began his career way back in 1994, and has shown himself at the front of many big races ever since. A small, explosive climber, Simoni has managed to win two Giro d'Italia's despite the fact that he is not an excellent time trialist. He has done so in the high mountains, isolating and then destroying his adversaries in dominant style.

Simoni's best days, and both Giro victories, were with the powerhouse Saeco teams in the early 2000's

Today though, things are different for the aging Italian star. Gone is the seemingly endless power and energy, replaced by glimpses of his past form. Simoni can still ride at a high level, but even he admits that he doesn't have the spark of past years. Still, the Italian legend will line up again in 2008 at his favorite race, the Giro d'Itlalia, to contest the overall victory, probably for the final time.

Simoni fueded with Cunego in the 2004 Giro, but was ultimately classy in defeat

Simoni is an interesting rider in that he possesses the Italian flare that so many past Italian champions are known for. But Simoni takes things further than some of his contemporaries, often speaking his mind at his own peril. He quarelled with then teammate Damiano Cunego in the 2004 Giro, making no secret of the fact that he felt betrayed by the young up and coming climber, who bested Simoni en route to the overall 2004 title. Then, in 2006, Simoni was openly critical of fellow Italian Ivan Basso and his "extra-terrestrial" capabilities in the mountains. Several weeks later, Basso would be kicked out of the Tour de France for alleged doping, and Simoni's comments were vindicated, at least in the court of public opinion.

"Gibo" will contest the marathon mountain biking event in this year's Olympics in Beijing

Gilberto Simoni, and riders like him, are good for cycling. Always willing to speak his mind and give his opinion, Simoni adds drama and intrigue to any race he enters. And like many past champions, Simoni is never afraid of a new challenge. He has set his sights on challenging the world in the marathon mountain bike discipline in this year's upcoming summer Olympics, and also chose to ride this past year's Monte Paschi Eroica, the race on Italy's "white gravel" roads. Hopefully this year, like last year, Simoni will be able to wring one last stage victory out of his beloved Giro. And with a helpful portion of luck, perhaps the tiny climber can dream about the overall victory one last time.