Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) will not be taking part in the Italian Championships next Sunday due to gastric problems that have worsened. Bettini has been bothered by them since the beginning of the season and was recently forced to pull out of the Tour de Suisse. The Olympic Champion will be undergoing tests over the next few days to try and ascertain the origin of the problems and to resolve them once and for all in time for the second part of the season.
"I am really sorry that I'll not be able to take part in the 'Tricolore' on Sunday," Bettini said. "But to be honest, my main objective is to resolve this problem that has been dragging me down for the last few months. There is still plenty of time left in the season and I've got lots of objectives to meet. It looks like I'll be watching the race on television from home cheering my teammates on."
