Paolo Bettini recalls the biggest thrill at the Giro

Paolo Bettini recalls the biggest thrill at the Giro

Paolo Bettini, a champion who has worn all the Giro jerseys, does not forget the emotions he experienced on Italian roads. “In my career I have been lucky enough to be at the top of all four rankings that identify the jerseys,” he says. “In 1998, in the Giro won by Marco Pantani, I was ranked 7th and virtually would have won the Maglia Bianca, but in that edition that ranking was not provided. When you wear one of the distinctive jerseys even for one day you feel like you are at the center of the world, it is an achievement that everyone dreams of achieving. I jealously preserve all these heirlooms and to get to the bottom of the Pink Race with one of these jerseys, as happened in 2005 and 2006 with the Cyclamen Jersey, is a priceless satisfaction.”

“The greatest emotion was the Tropea stage in 2005 when I won my first stage at the Giro d’Italia wearing my first Maglia Rosa,” adds the Tuscan champion.