Time To Say Goodbye To Bettini, And Hello To Another Round Of Doping Stories
Written by: Myles McCorry
Feature Writer
On a blistering hot day in north Italy, 206 riders started the massive 260km course, which was to decide the champion of the world: MUCH glory waited!
All eyes were on the little Italian rocket Paolo Betinni, as he announced that today’s race in Varese was to be his last. Superstars lined up and at 10.30 exactly, clicked into their pedals and got under way. Zabel, looked cool, big Tom Boonan looked confident, but there was an air of unease about the riders with on the ground rumors of another 14 Pro riders linked with Dr. Death (Fuentes). I felt sadden, as with most fans had hoped the era of doping was gone, but not forgotten. Now we don’t need to forget, as it’s happening tomorrow.
The announcement will ruin another load of promising careers and tarnish the image of pro bike riding once more. But the 100,000 fans here is Varese will not let it ruin their sport. They love bikes and the adrenalin of racing. They love the athletes battling against impossible odds and hardship. They weren’t disappointed today.
The early break, which went at 26km, was Christian Poos of Luxembourg, Chuzda of the Ukraine and Ochoa from Venezuela. They achieved a maximum lead of 17minutes and 24 seconds before a line of sacrificial blue Italian jerseys came to the front and for the next 130km did well ride their carbon wheels off. With five laps remaining they were reeled in and looked just delighted to do so. Then ensued just class racing. The racing you dream to be in the middle off; seasoned pros raced like 15 year olds, attacking, jumping to the other side of the road on the short climbs to the delight of the Italian crowd. Five were clear, and then they weren’t. Eight were clear, and by the time I got their names, they weren’t.
Then Cunnego, Rebellin launched with a lap and a bit to go taking with them the tall Swiss Zaugg and two passengers. The big screen for shortened the gap to the peloton but a lap later it was not to be on the narrow streets of Varese. Well let’s not blame the narrow streets: - lets blame the Belgium cycling team. Two laps to go Boonen sat third behind Gilbert and Nuyens; the latter bending his 177.5 cranks like it was the last kilometer. And the stadium crowd sighed when the group was caught. Italy’s hopes gone.
Another group went off the front with just over a lap left; now five clear with the 20-second gap growing. At the bell the bunch stalled and a further 9 went clear, crossing to the front group with 12km remaining. Down the descent, the group wont work together, all wanting the win and jump clear in the confusion. The lead group of Ballan, Rebellin, Cunego, Pfannberg, Rodriguez and Breschel had three Italians , the stadium erupts once more. The bunch gone and freewheeling.
Like it was lap 1 his home town crit, the 2007 tour of Flanders winner, Alessandro Ballan jumped clear with an enormous attack in the closing two kilometers of the race remaining. I started cheering, caught up in the crowd thinking the pasta I made last night transformed me into an Ital. And on to finish three seconds clear of the storming break. His teammate Damiano Cunego won the sprint for the silver medal and a surprise Matti Breschel of Denmark claimed the bronze.
Results
1 Alessandro Ballan (Italy)
2 Damiano Cunego (Italy)
3 Matti Breschel (Denmark)
4 Davide Rebellin (Italy)
5 Andriy Grivko (Ukraine)
6 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spain)
7 Fabian Wegmann (Germany)
8 Christian Pfannberger (Austria)
9 Nick Nuyens (Belgium)
10 Robert Gesink (Netherlands)
Men’s Race Photo’s
Women’s Race Photo’s
Categories: Doping, Features, Rider Shuffle, World Road Championships
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