http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1567222.stm
Filippo Simeoni (born in Desio, province of Milan, August 17, 1971) is an Italian cyclist. His most important victories were the two stages he won in the Vuelta a España in 2001 and 2003.
More than for his prestations, Simeoni is known for his 'rebellious' actions. During the 18th stage win in the 2001 Vuelta he stopped just before the finish line and walked across the finish line with his bike in his hands. He did so as a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Later the Union Cycliste Internationale fined him for this.
“I'm a thinker and I wanted to make people think again about the sport. I wanted to say that sport is an ideal activity for helping young people mature in life… The gesture of raising my bike above my head was also meant as a protest against the terrorists attacks in New York. Sport has to make peace gestures like this. We've had enough of war. Cyclists shouldn't have to feel distant from events that happen away from racing. I know a lot of cyclists who feel the same way that I do, but they don't say anything because the opportunity doesn't present itself. The important thing is that people understand that sport is a healthy thing to do.”
Filippo Simeoni (born in Desio, province of Milan, August 17, 1971) is an Italian cyclist. His most important victories were the two stages he won in the Vuelta a España in 2001 and 2003.
More than for his prestations, Simeoni is known for his 'rebellious' actions. During the 18th stage win in the 2001 Vuelta he stopped just before the finish line and walked across the finish line with his bike in his hands. He did so as a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Later the Union Cycliste Internationale fined him for this.
“I'm a thinker and I wanted to make people think again about the sport. I wanted to say that sport is an ideal activity for helping young people mature in life… The gesture of raising my bike above my head was also meant as a protest against the terrorists attacks in New York. Sport has to make peace gestures like this. We've had enough of war. Cyclists shouldn't have to feel distant from events that happen away from racing. I know a lot of cyclists who feel the same way that I do, but they don't say anything because the opportunity doesn't present itself. The important thing is that people understand that sport is a healthy thing to do.”