Italian cyclists (L-R) Giovanni Visconti, Paolo Bettini and Stefano Garzelli attend a ceremony announcing the route for the 2009 Giro d'Italia at La Fenice theatre in Venice December 13, 2008. The race will begin on May 9, 2009 in Venice, finishing in Rome May 31 after 21 stages and 3,395.5 km (2,109.9 miles). REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri (ITALY) 

Italy's Paolo Bettini (R) cycles ahead of his compatriot Alessandro Ballan during the men's road race at the world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. Ballan won the race ahead of compatriot Damiano Cunego and Denmark's Matti Breschel finished third. REUTERS/Roberto Bettini/Pool (ITALY) 

Italy's Paolo Bettini (L) shakes hand with Germany's Erik Zabel at the end of the men's road race in the world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. Italy's Alessandro Ballan won the race ahead of compatriot Damiano Cunego and Denmark's Matti Breschel finished third. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY) 

Italy's Paolo Bettini (C ) and Matteo Tosatto (L) celebrates the win of their compatriot Alessandro Ballan as Germany's Erik Zabel watches on at the end of the men's road race in the world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. Ballan won the race ahead of compatriot Damiano Cunego and Denmark's Matti Breschel finished third. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY) 

Germany's Erik Zabel (L) clasps hands with Italy's Paolo Bettini before the start of the men's race at the road world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY) 

Italy's Paolo Bettini (C) waves as compatriot Damiano Cunego (L) and Gabriele Bosisio look on before the start of the men's road race at the world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo 

Germany's Erik Zabel (L) embraces Italy's Paolo Bettini before the start of the men's road race at the world cycling championships in Varese September 28, 2008. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo 

Quick-Step rider and World Champion Paolo Bettini (C) of Italy cycles during the 18th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Valladolid and Las Rozas, September 18, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick-Step rider and World Champion Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts while speaking to media and announcing he is quitting the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race to prepare for the World Championships, in Las Rozas September 18, 2008.REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick-Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy (L) talks with Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel of Belgium during the 17th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Zamora and Valladolid September 17, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick-Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy (L) talks with Team CSC-Saxo Bank rider Carlos Sastre of Spain as they cycle during the 17th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Zamora and Valladolid September 17, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini (R) of Italy is congratulated by his team mate Juan Manuel Garate after winning the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy waves after winning the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy poses with a ship after winning the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008.REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy celebrates with a bottle of cava after winning the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy wins the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy wins the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy wins the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Burgos and Suances September 11, 2008. REUTERS/Felix Ordonez (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy raises his arms as he wins the sixth stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Ciudad Real and Toledo September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini (L) of Italy celebrates with a teammate after winning the sixth stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Ciudad Real and Toledo September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy raises his arms as he wins the sixth stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Ciudad Real and Toledo September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN) 

Quickstep rider Paolo Bettini of Italy cycles during the fourth stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Cordoba and Puertollano September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN) 

Liquigas' Filippo Pozzato and Quickstep's Paolo Bettini of Italy talk as they cycle during the second stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta" cycling race between Granada and Jaen August 31, 2008.REUTERS/Dani Cardona (SPAIN) 

The Italian road cycling team led by captain Paolo Bettini (2nd L) trains ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 7, 2008. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (CHINA) 

Italian cyclist Paolo Bettini speaks to the media upon his arrival at the airport ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 4, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

Team Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy is kissed on the podium after winning the first stage of the 60th Austrian cycling tour in Toblach, northern Italy, July 7, 2008. The race began in northern Italy today and will continue in Austria tomorrow. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (AUSTRIA) 

Team Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy puts on the yellow jersey after winning the first stage of the 60th Austrian cycling tour in Toblach, northern Italy, July 7, 2008. The race began in northern Italy today and will continue in Austria tomorrow. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (ITALY) 

Second placed Team Volksbank rider Gerrit Glomser (L) from Austria reacts before he crosses the finish line as first placed Team Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy cycles on during the first stage of the 60th Austrian cycling tour in Toblach, northern Italy, July 7, 2008. The race began in northern Italy today and will continue in Austria tomorrow. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (ITALY) 

Team Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini (R) of Italy and Team Volksbank rider Gerrit Glomser of Austria react as they cross the finish line of the first stage of the 60th Austrian cycling tour in Toblach, northern Italy, July 7, 2008. The race began in northern Italy today and will continue in Austria tomorrow. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (ITALY) 

Team Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts after winning the first stage of the 60th Austrian cycling tour in Toblach, northern Italy, July 7, 2008. The race began in northern Italy today and will continue in Austria tomorrow. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler (ITALY) 

Paolo Bettini (C) of Italy jokes around as he leads the pack of riders during the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race 177-km from Modena to Cittadella May 23, 2008. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY) 

Italy's Giovanni Visconti (L) wearing the leader's pink jersey is congratulated by compatriot and team mate Paolo Bettini after crossing the finish line at the end of the 11th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race 199-km from Urbania to Cesena May 21, 2008. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY) 

Italy's Daniele Bennati (2nd L) crosses the finish line ahead his compatriot and world champion Paolo Bettini (2nd R) during the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race 218-km from Civitavecchia to San Vincenzo May 18, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Italy's Riccardo Ricco (R) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead his compatriot and world champion Paolo Bettini after the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race 209-km from Rivisondoli to Tivoli May 17, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Italy's Giovanni Visconti (R), wearing the leader's pink jersey, cycles near his compatriot world champion Paolo Bettini during the seventh stage of the 176-km Giro d'Italia cycling race from Vasto to Pescocostanzo May 16, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY) 

Italy's Paolo Bettini of Quick Step rides in the Redoute climb during the 94th Liege-Bastogne-Liege cycling race, April 27, 2008. REUTERS/Sebastien Pirlet (BELGIUM) 

Spanish rider David Herrero (L) crosses the finish line ahead of third placed Paolo Bettini of Italy to win the third stage of the Vuelta del Pais Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) cycle race in Viana April 9, 2008. Spanish rider Alberto Contador maintains his lead in the general classification. REUTERS/Vincent West (SPAIN) 

Spanish rider David Herrero (L) crosses the finish line ahead of third placed Paolo Bettini of Italy to win the third stage of the Vuelta del Pais Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) cycle race in Viana April 9, 2008. Spanish rider Alberto Contador maintains his lead in the general classification. REUTERS/Vincent West (SPAIN) 

Belgian rider Kim Kirchen (C) crosses the finish line ahead of Spain's David Herrero (L) and Italian rider Paolo Bettini to win the second stage of the Vuelta del Pais Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) in Erandio April 8, 2008. Spanish rider Alberto Contador maintains his lead in the general classification. REUTERS/Vincent West (SPAIN) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy smiles during the team official presentation at the start of the new season in Kortrijk, January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM) 

Quick Step rider Paolo Bettini of Italy waves during the team official presentation at the start of the new season in Kortrijk, January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM) 

Members of cycling team Quick-Step, (L to R) Giovanni Visconti, Paolo Bettini, Stijn Devolder and Tom Boonen, pose for photographers during an official presentation at the start of the new season in Kortrijk, January 18, 2008. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir (BELGIUM) 

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi (R) receives a gift by cycling World Champion Paolo Bettini during a meeting with Italian cycling team at Chigi Palace in Rome December 4, 2007. REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy (C) celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini won the race ahead of Alexandr Kolobnev of Russia (L) and Stefan Schumacher (R). REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy celebrates winning the gold medal after crossing the finish line of the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Gold medal winner Paolo Bettini of Italy is flanked by Russia's silver medallist Alexandr Kolobnev (L) and Germany's bronze medallist Stefan Schumacher (R) during the podium ceremony of the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at this year's world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Stefan Schumacher (R) of Germany kisses his bronze medal as gold medallist Paolo Bettini of Italy smiles after the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts during the medal ceremony after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy makes a gesture to show his second consecutive men's road race gold medal during the podium ceremony of the elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the Stuttgart world championships on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy sings his country's national anthem after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy kisses his gold medal after winning the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Gold medal winner Paolo Bettini of Italy is flanked by Russia's silver medallist Alexandr Kolobnev (L) and Germany's bronze medallist Stefan Schumacher (R) during the podium ceremony of the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at this year's world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy waves the Italian flag on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Stuttgart's mayor Wolfgang Schuster walks past Paolo Bettini of Italy during the medal ceremony after Bettini won the gold medal at the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy bites his gold medal after winning the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini, the man local organisers tried to ban for not signing an anti-doping pledge, successfully defended his elite men's road race title from Salzburg, Austria, last year at the world championships in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy makes a gesture to show his second consecutive men's road race gold medal during the podium ceremony of the elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. After last year in the Austrian city of Salzburg, Bettini won his second road title in Stuttgart on Sunday. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY) 

Paolo Bettini of Italy (C) shows the number of his second consecutive win at the men's elite road race over 267,4 km at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Stuttgart September 30, 2007. Bettini won the race ahead of Alexandr Kolobnev (L) of Russia and Stefan Schumacher (R). REUTERS/Alex Grimm (GERMANY)