Climbing Accidents

By Camilla Mancini
The Cycling Pro Tour of Lombardy was raced during last Saturday, 14th October. After the 245 kilometers traveled, in the one-day race, the winner was the World and Olympic Champion, Paolo Bettini, also known as “Il Grillo” (the cricket) for his sprinting style.
Bettini reached the line with eyes full of tears, as he pointed to the sky and kissed his rainbow jersey. But his tears weren’t only for the joy of winning his ninth race for the 2006 season; it was the nostalgia for the recent loss of one of the people that supported him all his live.
Sauro Bettini (42), Paolo’s older brother was killed in a car accident near La California-Bibbona in Italy, on October 2nd, 2006.
Il Grillo admitted on Friday that following his brother’s accident, he even considered withdrawing from the races, but his father convinced him to stay in the tracks and to compete on this tour.
“After winning the world title, I was still on in shape, but I wasn’t sure how mentally strong I was,” said Paolo.
Paolo was the first to attack at the Madonna del Ghisallo climb, at 45km distance from the end, and attacked again in the climb of Civiglio 18km away from the finish line at Lake Como.
On the twisted descending it seemed he was worn-out and for a moment was caught by the German, Fabian Wegmann. But at San Fermo della Battaglia climb, Bettini attacked one more time and left his adversaries behind him.
The Spanish, Samuel Sanchez grasped the second place and Wegmann the third.
The Giro di Lombardia was as exciting as it was expected, celebrated a 100 years of competitions and gave an excellent closure to the 2006 European cycling season.
But for anyone wasn’t as important as it was for Paolo “Il Grillo” Bettini, as due to this race, and especially with his conquest, he honored his beloved Sauro.”During the race, I felt good and so decided I wanted to win to remember Sauro… I wasn’t riding on my own today… The person who used to cheer me from the roadside can’t do it anymore, but he was with me today. I didn’t win by chance”, explained Il Grillo.

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