A tour of Italy won and a promotion into the A league as Ancona manager.
Until recently, they had in common a surname with which fate had not always been kind.
On the one hand, Gilberto the cyclist and on the other, Gigi the coach.
Two wheels that turn and a ball that rolls. With mixed results. But above all a strong desire to get their own back on something or someone that was always putting a stick between the wheels. Not things of any little account either. Disqualified for doping and the loss of a son. Things that knock you out but which did not discourage our protagonists, both of whom have will power and courage to spare. Qualities that are sometimes not enough however unless you can find someone who has confidence in you, someone able to restore you to the role in which you excelled in the past. And here we must separate the careers of the two Simonis.

“Gibo” the cyclist sealed his career at the top in June 2001. He became the new champion of Italian cycling, a man who, after the many accidents and hardships that occurred to him when he decided to go professional, won the Tour of Italy.
It seemed the start of a brilliant future. But after only one season fate struck. “I can’t believe it, you must be joking”. This in brief was his reaction to a shock announcement. The allegation was clear: drug-taking (cocaine). Traces in his urine after a check.
The 32-year-old from Trentino, after a couple of days, decided to drop out of the race.
But when, at the end of July 2002, the disciplinary committee found him not guilty and confirmed that the cocaine in his blood had come from eating sweets containing coca and honey brought from Peru by his Aunt Giacinta, the sister of Moser, it really did all seem the end of a joke. In actual fact, it was true.
A trivial but rather childish candour that risked blemishing the cyclist’s good name. One thing must be said at this point - the tour of 2001 was disastrous for the sporting spirit of the event, with more athletes found to be positive after dope tests than those that crossed the finish in Milan.
In this witch-hunt atmosphere, with police raiding hotel rooms in the middle of the night and incriminating syringes thrown out of the windows, “minimalist Gibo” also paid the price. He did not forget however and when, in 2003, he again raised his arms in front of his opponents, he distributed his “baddies” reports, especially among his colleagues, guilty according to him of having brought pressure to bear twelve months before to have him sent home.
“I am taking back what they took from me last year; without looking anyone in the face and dedicating this victory to myself and those that helped me”. Well said.

........

But above all perfect for switching over to the other Simoni.
That Gigi, the coach, badly treated by fate and people little inclined to the word humanity. Those same people who, after the death of Simoni’s son served him up a nice cup of poison by throwing him out. Those same soccer amateurs who, after hiring him, then decided to get rid of him because they considered him “past it”.
Oh yes, dear president of Torino, Ciminelli.
How ironic life is. Now your team has slipped down to the B league and won’t be able to compete against that Ancona which “past it” Simoni has taken up among the big boys. And I’m telling you this myself because Gigi is too much of a gentleman to do so.
One of those people who, even when they are successful, prefer to gloss over the unpleasantness of the past. With over thirty years of experience behind him, the Crevalcore coach has passed through difficult years of late.
But this, rather surprising success gives him back the respect, honour and credibility which too many soccer executives in love with futile things had covered with mud.
He, who began “ferrying” clubs from the B to the A league 27 years ago and still has not lost the knack. His seventh promotion takes him back to the soccer that counts.
And that is the main thing. Because a circle has been closed that had appeared all set to stay open forever. It all began when Moratti decided to entrust him with an ambitious Inter, but got rid of him after he had won the only trophy currently in the showcase after seven years as president of the club.
After that, for both men, Moratti and Simoni, it seemed the start of a long journey into the void of illusions, hopes of a comeback and memories that hurt. But Gigi has managed to come out of it and has shown what is the most important thing in soccer: that he still knows how to win.
Those who opted at the time for a painful decision, saying it was inevitable “for Inter’s good”, are now therefore more than ever alone.

Translated by interpres sas