Italian Championships - CN

Friuli Venezia Giulia, June 20-25, 2006

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Day 6 - June 25: Elite men road race, 233 km

Bettini wins second Italian title

By Tim Maloney, European Editor

Bettini is a happy man
Photo ©: Sirotti

Far from his home in Tuscany, Quick.Step's Paolo Bettini sprinted to his second Italian pro title ahead of Mirko Celestino and Danilo Di Luca on a broiling hot day in northeastern Italy's Friuli region. Bettini was the strongest man on a day that had his favorite weather, 35 degree heat similar to the day he won his Olympic title in Athens almost two years ago. "Today was really hot and hard, harder than I thought it would be," he said. "I wanted to prove something by winning here today." Bettini recently re-signed with Quick.Step and will now wear the prestigious maglia tricolore at the Tour de France starting next Saturday in Strasbourg, France.

On the final tour of the tough 18km circuit that ascended the San Floriano del Collio climb, Bettini went on the attack and exploded the race with 10km left. He was eventually joined by ten other riders; Celestino (Milram), Di Luca and Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi), Mazzanti (Ceramica Panaria), Nocentini (Aqua Sapone), Giunti (Naturino), Ballan (Lampre-Fondital), Caucchioli (Credit Agricole), Moreni (Cofidis) and Bailetti (Androni).

After a series of attacks and counter-attacks, the front group was together in the final kilometer, where Bettini was hard pressed by Celestino in the sprint but took the tricolore jersey for the second time in his career. Runner-up Celestino, coming back from a broken shoulder was not too disappointed afterwards, saying, "I was beaten by the strongest rider today, so there was nothing to do against Bettini. I rode well and I'm happy with that." Bronze medalist Danilo Di Luca made the podium in the Italian pro championships after a disappointing Giro d'Italia and will now head to the Tour De France. Post-race, Di Luca explained that "I think I rode a good race today and I'm happy the way it came out."

Mirko Celestino (Milram), Paolo Bettini (Quickstep Innergetic), Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas)
Photo ©: Sirotti

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Some Bloke/www.webaddress.com

Paolo Bettini cools off during the long hot day in the saddle.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

That's number two. Bettini bags his second Italian championship.
Bettini gets some relief from a helpful member of the Tifosi.
It's in the bag. Bettini gets ready to celebrate.
Winning is sweet. Bettini pumps the air.
Bettini is a happy man after a job well done.
The ecstacy of winning. Bettini wanted this one.
Bettini looking pleased in his new Italian champions jersey.
Bettini continues his celebration after the finish line.
Looking nervous on the podium, but Bettini has been there before.
The deserving winner salutes the crowd.
Always the pro. Bettini makes sure the jersey zipper is done up.
Mirko Celestino (Milram), Paolo Bettini (Quickstep Innergetic), Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) on the podium.
Total relief from Bettini. The 35-degree day took its toll.
The victor reflects on a job well done.
Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) helps to make up for a disappointing Giro.
Mirko Celestino knew he was beaten by the strongest on the day.
Bettini in the maglia tricolore. He was the strongest rider in the race.
The main group in Azione.
The peloton mostly stayed together until the last lap.
Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic) tries to get cool.
Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas-Bianchi) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) on the climb.
Danilo di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) with Franco Ballerini.
Lampre-Fondital team mates Marzio Bruseghin and Alessandro Ballan.
Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre - Fondital) is the new Italian time trial champion.
Filippo Pozzato and Paolo Bettini looking relaxed before the start.
Paolo Bettini looked satisfied after his win.
Enrico Gasparotto (Liquigas-Bianchi) could not defend his title.
Danilo Di Luca (left) finished third
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir) with Di Luca and Bettini.
Cristian Moreni (Cofidis) made the final selection on the climb.
Filippo Pozzato worked hard for his team leader Bettini.
Marzio Bruseghin finished nearly seven minutes behind Bettini.
The lead group takes in some fluid.
Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir) tries to cool off.
Enrico Gasparotto (Liquigas-Bianchi) worked hard for team leader Di Luca.
Mirko Celestino (Milram) had a great day, finishing second.
Bettini throws his arms up in delight.
Bettini tries on his new Italian champion's jersey.
Winners are grinners. Bettini looks pleased with a job well done.

Results

1 Paolo Bettini (Quickstep-Innergetic)                        5.59.40 (38,936 km/h)
2 Mirko Celestino (Team Milram)
3 Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas)
4 Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-Fondital)
5 Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas)
6 Paolo Bailetti (Team Androni Giocattoli-3C Casalinghi)
7 Massimo Giunti (Naturino-Sapore di Mare)
8 Cristian Moreni (Cofidis-Le Crédit par Téléphone)
9 Pietro Caucchioli (Crédit Agricole)
10 Luca Mazzanti (Ceramica Panaria-Navigare)
11 Rinaldo Nocentini (Acqua & Sapone)
12 Filippo Pozzato (Quickstep-Innergetic)                        1.12
13 Paolo Bossoni (Team Tenax Salmilano)
14 Manuele Mori (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
15 Paolo Valoti (Team LPR)
16 Andrea Masciarelli (Acqua & Sapone)
17 Antonio Quadranti (Naturino-Sapore di Mare)
18 Giuseppe Muraglia (Team LPR)                                  1.51
19 Emanuele Bindi (OTC Doors-Lauretana)                          1.57
20 Alessandro Bertolini (Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni)
21 Giovanni Visconti (Team Milram)
22 Andrea Tonti (Acqua & Sapone)                                 2.13
23 Daniele Callegarin (Team Androni Giocattoli-3C Casalinghi)
24 Pasquale Muto (Miche)
25 Alessandro Bertuola (Team Tenax Salmilano)
26 Mauro Facci (Barloworld)
27 Domenico Quagliarello (Ceramica Flaminia)
28 Gabriele Bosisio (Team Tenax Salmilano)
29 Gabriele Missaglia (Selle Italia-Serramenti Diquigiovanni)
30 Giampaolo Cheula (Barloworld)
31 Matteo Tosatto (Quickstep-Innergetic)                         6.48
32 Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital)
33 Marco Marzano (Lampre-Fondital)
34 Alessandro Spezialetti (Liquigas)
35 Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
36 Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre-Fondital)
37 Luca Solari (Team 3C Casalinghi Jet Androni Giocattoli)
38 Daniele Pietropolli (Team Tenax Salmilano)

Starters: 158
Classified: 38