Tales from the Italian peloton

It's Bettini time

Italy finds a great champion: Paolo Bettini
Photo: © Roberto Piorno

The tale of the birth of a national hero

By Roberto Piorno in Saltara

Italians know well what cycling means. They know well the kind of heroism involved and also the sport's hidden meanings. Nobody else, with the exception of the Belgians live and breathe cycling as Italians do - take a look at the roadsides as the race passes by. Cycling in Italy is genetic, cycling flows through these people's veins in such an intense way that no foreign viewer could easily understand.

Saltara June 29, 2003: Paolo Bettini has just crossed the line, becoming the new Italian champion, the new Italian ambassador on Europe's roads. There is something mystical in the air, an indescribable harmony between the three main characters of the event: the champion, the land and the people. "Il Grillo" holds onto his loyal mate and friend Paolini; they look each other in face with trust and complicity.

A cloud of journalists and photographers surround them. Italian coach Franco Ballerini does not need to speak; Ballerini has definitely found his man, his captain, the one who will be able to handle the pressure in Hamilton at the World Road Championships. "Paolino never fails, that's why he is great, he can win on every course; flat, hilly... it doesn't matter" says the two time Paris- Roubaix winner.

Saltara became for a few seconds the country's capital, not in a political way, but in a popular one. Bettini couldn't hold his tears; there was no way to escape from such an emotion. Bettini's maglia tricolore was baptized by the crowd. No greater way to begin a reign.

Calm before the storm
Photo: © Roberto Piorno

Ballerini was cautious, however; just a few answers to a barrage of questions. The Italian national coach had the same project since the beginning of the season and every step is pointed at it. It's quite obvious that Bettini and Paolini both have a place in the national team, but Ballerini said nothing: "If I tell you now the names what would you talk about from now until October?" he said.

But he alerts: "It will be very difficult to find a team as strong as last year; there are a lot of circumstances that determine a race. Last year was last year, and there probably won't be another Zolder. But that's not to say we won't be able to find a balance between our men -I'm sure everything will work out this year."

That was the main subject of discussion: who will defend the "azzurra" in Hamilton?

"The fact that the circuit is so open means that there is more than one favourite [in the team], but I think that Bettini can be an important man on a course like this. We also must take into account [Filippo] Pozzato and we should not forget [Salvatore] Commeso; I've been told that he was very strong [in the Tour de Suisse] and this is a course also suited to his characteristics."

Tricolore flags in abundance
Photo: © Roberto Piorno

However, the Italian Championships was not without many absences - perhaps too many? Simoni, Casagrande, Garzelli, Bartoli and Di Luca were all missing and are riders whose characteristics were ideal for such a course.

At the start, Bartoli and Bettini were at the back of the pack laughing, remembering the old times when Bettini used to play Paolini's role, and perhaps signing a peace treaty, after their public storm from a few years ago. Lap by lap, the heat and humidity increased. By lap 16, with 14 kilometres to go, the bunch had broken into pieces. Just 64 survivors out of 133. Paolini's sacrifice ensured the greatest one day classic rider in the world got his wish; Bettini and Paolini raising their hands as they crossed the line. Next stop: Hamilton.

Nobody expected such a conclusion with four kilometres to go - not even Il grillo:

"With four laps to go I had an incredible headache; the race was chaotic," said Bettini. "Honestly, I didn´t think I would be there in the last two kilometres of the climb with a chance of winning, but with four kilometres to go I told Bramati that I was feeling better. It's thanks to them all for my win today.

A humble national hero
Photo: © Roberto Piorno

"I spoke yesterday to Paolini and told him: "We are not here to race just for me; if the chance comes, we can change the order that we finished in San Remo."

Bettini found himself at ease with this course: "A beautiful circuit. At first, it looked easy. When we completed the first lap, we sincerely believed that we would arrive a group of 40 in a sprint.

"Finally, however, the circuit revealed itself… not too hard but complicated; it could either be won by a sprinter, or one with my characteristics."

Bettini collects his jersey. He's now got one as leader of the World Cup and the Italian champion's jersey; there's only one missing now, the rainbow jersey, but it's just a matter of time.

An unforgettable day in Saltara: a great show, great characters and a genuine atmosphere. Cycling history has now been made in this part of the world, where the villagers have now experienced a landmark in their lives, a nice story to tell their grandchildren. The in which the great Paolo Bettini cried deeply as his countrymen sung "Fratelli d'Italia".

Photos

Images by Roberto Piorno

• The start in Saltara's Piazza.
• Riders on the first lap, before the battle begins.
• Fassa Bortolo head the chase in the peloton, with the deficit to the breakaway over eight minutes.
• With the breakaway caught, a new race begins.
• Angelo Lopeboselli (Cofidis) was in one of the main moves in the final stages of the race.
• The finish line in Saltara.
• Italy finds a great champion: Paolo Bettini.
• The podium - (from L to R) Filippo Pozzato (Fassa Bortolo, 2nd), Paolo Bettini (Quick Step-Davitamon, 1st) and Salvatore Commesso (Saeco, 3rd).

Results from the Italian Championships
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