Italians Name Team For Worlds For Bettini’s Hat-Trick Attempt
Cuttent reigning world champion Paolo Bettini will spearhead the Italian team’s bid to keep the much desired rainbow jersey in Italian hands at the world road race cycling championships in two weeks time.
Bettini, the recent two-stage winner at the Tour of Spain, leads a mixed nine-man team which includes climbers such as Damiano Cunego and sprinters like Luca Paolini.
Italy coach Franco Ballerini has no place in the team, however, for Danilo Di Luca, last year’s Tour of Italy champion who sat out a three-month doping ban earlier this year.
Bettini, who lost his Olympic road race crown in Beijing to Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, has the chance to win a hat-trick of victories at the men’s road race in Varese on September 28 and is likely to be given unflinching support.
Ballerini said it was no easy job picking the team: “It’s a special year, what with the championships being held in Italy. Paolo (Bettini) has the chance to make a little bit of cycling history.”
Team
Paolo Bettini, Andrea Tonti, Matteo Tosatto, Damiano Cunego, Marzio Bruseghin, Alessandro Ballan, Davide Rebellin, Luca Paolini, Gabriele Bosision.
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