"I'm happy just to have seen so many of my fans along the roads," Pantani said. "I'm still not at my best, though."
Pantani said Simoni could challenge Armstrong when the American attempts to tie Spain's Miguel Indurain with a record fifth straight Tour victory.
"Armstrong rides differently in the mountains," Pantani said. ``Simoni uses more muscles, while Armstrong is more fluid. If he rides like he did last year, Armstrong's the favorite. But [Simoni] has a chance.''
Simoni was still rejoicing in his Giro victory and did not have to much to say about the Tour on Sunday, although he did offer some words to Armstrong.
"Why not come to the Giro?" he said. "Indurain won it. Armstrong could do the same."
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