Di Luca awarded

The first ProTour winner, Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) has been awarded at an event on Tuesday, organised by Monica Baldi, member of Italian Parliament and president of the national parliamentary cycling team. The Liquigas captain was awarded with a silver medal by president of the Chamber of Deputies, Pierferdinando Casini. Paolo Bettini and Franco Ballerini, director of the Italian national cycling team, were also awarded.

"An unusual but pleasant day," Di Luca commented. "I've seen how passionate many members of Parliament are about cycling. Mr Casini, who awarded me, has especially proved to be skilled at our sport."

During the event, a preview of a film dealing with the story of Gino Bartali was shown. "I believe it will be a success: as far as we can realise, the great richness of Bartali’s sport and personal story will emerge for sure."