Bettini for Paris-Roubaix 2008?

World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) will face a full calendar in 2008, and for the first time in his career, he may even take part in Paris-Roubaix.

"There are still some classics that I haven't won, like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix," said the Tuscan rider to L'Equipe. "I've never done Paris-Roubaix, and I'd like to do it before I stop racing. I've followed it so many times on television."

"It would please me to take part, even if my schedule is already full." Alluding to the pressures of a World Champion in an Olympic year, Bettini added to L'Equipe, "The year to come, I will have to defend two titles in a month and a half: The Olympic Title in Beijing plus the World Championship in Italy." Under these conditions, Bettini does not think that l'Enfer du Nord will be a priority for him.