Bettini and Freire feeling good for Primavera

Quick Step's Paolo Bettini and Rabobank's Oscar Freire both say they're feeling good ahead of Saturday's Milan-San Remo classic. Each comes into the race under different circumstances, with the Olympic champion having won stages one and two of Tirreno-Adriatico before crashing out on stage three, while Freire won a stage and enjoyed the race lead for a couple of days.

Freire is coming back into some excellent form, while Bettini looked in doubt for a start in the big Italian race - but both riders will start, and Bettini hopes his injuries won't hinder him during the race. "Every day it gets better and better, but there's still some pain in my lower back and upper knee," said the Italian. "I hope that it plays no part during the finish on Saturday."

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1