Bettini party cut short

ByEurosport

Published 10/03/2006 at 14:05 GMT

Italy's Paolo Bettini was forced to retire from the Tirreno-Adriatico race after crashing midway through Friday's third stage. The Quick Step team rider won the first two stages of the race and was leading the overall classification.

CYCLING 2006 Tirreno-Adriatico Paolo Bettini

Image credit: Imago

According to the Quick Step team, Bettini injured his left hand and right knee after a rider crashed in front of him on a descent.

Bettini may be forced to miss the prestigious Milan-San Remo race on March 18 when he would have been one of the favourites.

The start of Friday's third stage was delayed by 35 minutes after riders protested about weather conditions along the hilly 183-km route in central Italy.

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