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Bettini Stays with QuickStep

By Jessica | Permalink | No Comments | June 18th, 2006 | Trackback

For those of us who watched the Giro d’Italia this year and wondered exactly what team Paolo Bettini was riding for, the question has finally been answered.

After the early departure of Team Milram’s star sprinter, Alessandro Petacchi, from the 2006 Giro, the Milram boys acted like a headless chicken - it was as if they couldn’t stop themselves from forming their leadout line, even without anyone to lead out. QuickStep’s Bettini took full advantage of the blue line, and Milram didn’t seem to mind - so much so that I wondered whether Bettini was going to be switching teams before the Tour de France to become one of the milkmen.

In addition, QuickStep’s manager, Patrick Lefevere, had added to the rumor mill by saying the team couldn’t afford the salaries of its three superstars - Bettini, current world champion Tom Boonen and Milano-San Remo winner Filippo Pozzato.

Late last week, however, Bettini was confirmed to have extended his QuickStep contract for an additional two years. Eurosport is reporting that Bettini turned down a €2 million offer from T-Mobile to re-sign with QuickStep, and that Bettini’s contract will likely mean Pozzato will be out looking for a new team next year.

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