Paolo Bettini and his people: (Image credit: OMNIA Photo)
While Quick.Step-Innergetic's Paolo Bettini was busy riding his heart out to successfully defend his World Championship in Stuttgart on Sunday, at home in Italy a massive party was underway. Members of the Paolo Bettini Club in Marina di Bibbona had gathered with the Italian's friends and parents, Giuliana and Giuliano Bettini, to watch the race live on a wide screen television at Hotel Marinetta.
If the atmosphere wasn't festive enough during the race, it erupted into a suburb-wide party as Bettini won the race. The hotel put on a buffet meal for everyone present after Bettini's win, while outside a continual procession of cars circled the area blowing their horns.
The party didn't stop there, however, with the Mayor of Bibbona throwing a party on Monday afternoon in the main square of La California, where Bettini was born, in the rider's honour.
