Paolo Bettini again took top honors at the Vuelta today, sounding yet another warning shot in his quest for a third straight world title. He won on an uphill finish ahead of compatriots Davide Rebellin and Damiano Cunego. Bettini will have a stacked team to support him in Varese, and Rebellin will be right there to take over the leadership regns should Bettini falter.
Meanwhile, three time world champ Oscar Freire abandoned the Vuelta, having won a stage. The Spaniard feels he is primed for Varese, and will put the final touches on his form away from the Vuelta. Like Bettini, Freire will have an excellent team to support him, and several of his fellow countrymen will be waiting to pounce if Freire doesn't have the legs to contend in Varese.
The question for Bettini now must be is the one day specialist peaking too soon? He is clearly flying right now, and whether he can hold his form for another two weeks is anyone's guess. Luckily for the Italians, there are several other riders who will be motivated to place high in the event that Bettini can't get it done. Foremost among these is Rebellin, but right behind him are Enrico Gasparotto, Filippo Pozzato, Damiano Cunego, Danilo DiLuca and Vincenzo Nibali.
For the Spanish, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador, Sammy Sanchez, and Luis Leon Sanchez will be ready to play spoiler if Freire can't contend. Valverde is probably option 1a to Freire, but he has had an up and down Vuelta and his form is questionable for the world title. Still, he has a mean finishing kick on short, steep, uphill finishes, and the course in Varese seems to suit the "Green Bullet" perfectly.
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