Giro d'Italia - Saunier Duval/Scott Squad Announced
Algeri's top Giro team of 2007 - Red Bird's to be led by Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli

The Red Birds of Saunier Duval/Prodir lead the peloton on stage 4 2007 Giro.
Photo c. Team Saunier Duval/Prodir

The Saunier Duval/Scott team will take Riccardo Riccò and Leonardo Piepoli as the team leaders to the 91st Giro d´Italia, starting this Saturday.

The Italian race will welcome team managers Pietro and Matteo Algeri and the following "red birds," who will accompany the co-leaders:

2007 Giro stage 15: The "Red Birds" Sing. Riccardo Ricco' and Leonardo Piepoli of Saunier Duval/Prodir cross the line on Tre Cime, Ricco gains the bigger time bonus as top Saunier rider. Photo © Fotoreporter Sirotti

Saunier Duval/Scott
Giro d'Italia Squad
Riccardo Riccò
Leonardo Piepoli
Eros Capecchi
David Cañada
Iker Camaño
José Alberto Benítez
Raivis Belohvosciks
Luciano Pagliarini
Ermanno Capelli
D.S.: Pietro Algeri, Matteo Algeri

The Red Birds of Saunier Duval/Prodir take the podium as top team of the 90th Giro d'Italia. Three riders in the top 15m and the Maglia Verde climbers jersey. Photo c. Saunier Duval/Prodir

Neo-pro Ermanno Capelli will replace Manuele Mori, whose healing process due to a knee problem hasn't finished yet.

The Red Birds will arrive in Palermo on Wednesday night to spend a few days this week in preparation for the first Grand Tour of 2008.

Getting tough for the Giro - Leonardo Piepoli trains in the Dolomites last week
Photo courtesy Saunier Duval/Scott

Pietro Algeri believes Piepoli has good chances to achieve good results. He's also confident that Riccò will do very well. The Italian rider was training in the steep Dolomites last week (see picture above) and he hopes he'll get better results than last year. 

2007 - Two Grand tours and two climbers jerseys! Leonardo Pieopoli's renaissance continues during the Vuelta.

In 2007 Giro Riccò was 6th in the GC and took one of the queen stages. "Riccardo has recovered from the bronchial problems that affected him in the classics. We hope he'll be blessed with fine weather so that he can get even better. His goals? Stepping up to the podium. Astana´s late-minute invite will make things harder, as they're a very strong team. But Riccardo will try hard and have a successful Giro d´Italia, I´m sure. Piepoli will focus on high-mountain stages, and our other riders make up a balanced team who can work for the leaders and also notch up stage wins."

Discuss this race and the sport with other cycling fans from around the world on the Daily Peloton.com Forums and Chat Room.  Sponsor the daily peloton & advertise your product or service to cyclists and cycling fans on www.dailypeloton.com - contact us.