Bettini decision imminent
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ByEurosport
Published 10/06/2006 at 09:58 GMT
Olympic champion Paolo Bettini will decide the name of his new team for 2006 during this week's Tour of Switzerland, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. Bettini, who's received a 2m euro offer from T-Mobile, is reportedly considering several other offers, including from Lampre.
CYCLING 2006 Paolo Bettini (Quick Step)
Image credit: Imago
"I'm faced with a very important decision," Bettini told Gazzetta on Saturday.
"One of the most important factors will be guarantees about the kind of race support I have with my new team."
Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere has made it clear that he does not have the means to keep all three of his star riders, world champion Tom Boonen, Milan-Sanremo winner Filippo Pozzato, and Bettini.
Pozzato has been linked with several teams, including T-Mobile and French squad Cofidis. It was reported Thursday that he wanted to take several riders with him including Guido Trenti.
PRAISE FOR LIQUIGAS
"I want to take two [Quick Step] team-mates with me, people like [Luca] Paolini, an unreplaceable companion, even though in his case, it's impossible because he's under contract," said Bettini.
With Bettini also singing the praises of Paolini's Liquigas team-mate Vincenzo Nibali, Gazzetta asked Il Grillo if that meant he was headed to the Italian outfit.
"I've had no contact with Liquigas," responded Bettini who told the paper that he wants a team that would work for him in the Ardennes classics. In Lampre's case, that would mean decision time since many believe that 2004 Giro winner Damiano Cunego has the means to win one of them.
LINK: Quick Step squad
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