Bettini training on Giro route

Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) will be training on the route of the 7th stage of the Giro d'Italia on Friday. The Giro stage heads to Pistoia from Grosseto and will take place on Saturday, May 14. The Olympic Champion will start his ride at the bottom of the San Baronto climb, riding the final 50 kilometres of the stage leading to Pistoia stopping en-route to view the Sammommè climb. All in all he will cover almost 200 kilometres.

"This stage suits me," explained the 31-year-old Quick.Step rider. "Considering the distance from the G.P.M.to the finish I predict a breakaway of a small group of riders. I don't want to leave anything to chance. I've been told that the Sammommè climb is tough with at least three kilometres that are very testing. I think it's a good idea to understand how I'll have to ride it."

Bettini will also be taking a look at the Vitolini climb that forms part of the time trial on Saturday, May 15 from Lamporecchio to Florence. "I already know this climb," Bettini continued, "But I want to take another look at the descent, which is very technical."