Bettini adds Italian jersey to golden helmet

cyclingnews.com | Bettini wins second Italian championship

On a sweltering day in northeastern Italy, Paolo Bettini took the Italian road-racing championship, and will wear the Italian champion's jersey for the next year, along with his Olympic champion golden helmet.

Bettini won in typical fashion, launching a strong attack with 10 kilometers to ride. Ten other riders bridged, including Danilo Di Luca and Stefano Garzelli of Liquigas, Pietro Caucchioli of Credit Agricole, Mirko Celestino of Milram, and Luca Mazzanti of Ceramica Panaria.

The group of 11 stayed together to the line, and Bettini was the fastest, with Celestino barely behind, and Di Luca third.

Joining Bettini will be Marzio Bruseghin, who won Wednesday's Italian TT championship. It was the first win of Bruseghin's career, and he'll be flaunting the maglia tricolore at the Tour prologue.

Also:

cyclingnews.com | 2006 Italian Road Championships photo gallery