Armstrong clashes with Simeoni

Lance Armstrong was fiercely criticised by Domina Vacanze team manager Vincenzo Santoni after the American rider renewed his personal feud with Italian cyclist Filippo Simeoni during the 18th stage of the Tour de France.

Armstrong, virtually certain to win a record sixth Tour, took the unusual step of doing all he could to sabotage Simeoni’s attempts to get involved in a breakaway by a group of six riders for victory in the 18th stage.

When Simeoni made his move to join the six pacesetters he was joined by the Texan until the Italian relented and the two riders were then swallowed up by the peloton again, leaving the leading six to contest the stage win.

There has been considerable bad blood between Simeoni and Armstrong who is currently being sued by the Italian. Simeoni claims the Texan questioned the integrity of evidence he gave in a court case.

Simeoni, who has served a three-month ban for doping offences, has become a whistle-blower on drug-taking in the sport and has given evidence in the trial of Dr Michele Ferrari, an adviser of Armstrong, who is being tried for doping-related offences.

Since taking his stance, Simeoni has been cold-shouldered by many in the peloton.

Santoni told RAI TV: “The American (Armstrong) went to catch him and told him and the six leaders that if he (Simeoni) did not stop he would not let the breakaway continue.”

Armstrong had no particular reason to stop the breakaway as none of the seven riders, including Simeoni, were threatening his position as overall leader and it appears his sole objective was to prevent Simeoni from grabbing a spot in the limelight.

“What is even worse was the insults that Simeoni had to take when he was rejoined by the peloton,” continued Santoni.

Santoni named prominent Italian rider Daniele Nardello as one of those members of the peloton who allegedly insulted Simeoni.

The manager also revealed how the team’s star rider Mario Cipollini, who withdrew from the Tour before it reached the mountains, had tried to have Simeoni thrown off the team.

“Simeoni wanted to quit,” said Santoni.

“We had to plead with him to stay in the race: he is someone who makes sacrifices for the team and that Cipollini, who joined the Tour run down and not bothered about the team, did not want him on the team.

“My wish for Cipollini is that he stops riding – he has taken the team and the sponsors for a ride.”

Nardello, a team-mate of Jan Ullrich, denied he had insulted Simeoni, telling RAI: “We had to chase him (Simeoni) because Armstrong went after him and when we caught up with him I told him (Simeoni) it was useless to go for it knowing that Armstrong would go after him and we would have had to follow.

“If they have problems between them there is no reason to involve the rest of us.

“I have never insulted anyone in my whole career and I don’t think I have today. If I have today, then I am sorry.”