Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

It is not Paolo Bettini at the top step of the podium, but another Italian Alessandro Ballan with teammate Damiano Cunego in second at the World Championships in Varese, Italy.

(AFP/Damien Meyer)
The winning move came from a breakaway of 12 that had a decent enough gap and a selection of enough big names to last. [...]

pic from Flickr user mnorri
Paolo will be passing Lance on the way to the punch clock. The small Italian rider with huge thighs earned the nickname “Il Grillo” since he looks like a cricket ready to pounce from his bike. The plucky one day racer has a long list of big Classics victories from Milan [...]

Paolo Bettini found his winning ways ahead of Phillipe Gilbert, Alejandro valverde and Oscar Friere in a tough sprint during the Vuelta’s Stage 6 into Toledo. The final kilometers included an attack by the unlucky Damiano Cunego who suffered through crashes two days ago that left him a few minutes behind in GC. Bettini’s win [...]

Milan San Remo is Saturday which usually happens around the Feast day of St. Joseph. It’s a big holiday in Italy as my mom reminds me by frying up some nacatoli for the occasion. We have to all wish my brother Joe a happy San Giuseppe while he basks in the glory.
Podium cafe posted this [...]

The Italians were pretty excited to have Bettini win. Check out the reaction from the Italian box featuring an interview with Paolo’s wife Monica. See some behind the scenes moments after the race as Bettini and crew enjoy a beer and an interview with Italian Team Director Franco Ballerini
These are all from the Gazzette dello [...]

AP Photo/Daniel Maurer

Paolo Bettini was almost going to be sitting at home watching the Worlds instead of defending his World Championship of 2006. The reigning World Champ was defending himself on charges of not signing an anti-doping declaration and was almost banned from starting the race. Cooler heads prevailed and Bettini was on the start [...]

STR/AFP/Getty Images

Paolo Bettini is cleared to defend his title at the World Championships in Stuttgart Germany. Following the denial of Danilo DiLuca who is about to receive a four month preliminary ban , Bettini was ready to also go home. This Worlds is best know for the polemics of who will or will not race. [...]

Paolo Bettini still raw with emotion from his brother’s recent death won the Giro di Lombardia with class. He dedicated the win to his fallen brother as he crossed the line with tears streaming from his eyes. Paolo drew much inspiration from his brother saying that he felt like he was not alone on the [...]

Here is a video of a lap of Giro D’Emillia featuring Paolo Bettini wearing gold shorts.

Check out the finish of the World Championships. The field was never really split up until the final kilometers when Sammy Sanchez setup a great leadout for Valverde. Zabel probably went too soon as he was the first to attack from the group of three. The outburst of emotion by Bettini is worth wathcing. Do [...]