Paolo Bettini 2009: Where Will Il Grillo Land?

Patrick Lefevere, director of the Quick Step squad, formally announced to the press a few days ago that Paolo Bettini will not be coming back to the team in 2009. Lefevere has signed Stephan Schumacher, formerly of Gerolsteiner, as his new hilly classics hope, in an effort to make his team a bit younger. Lefevre also mentioned that Bettini's salary demands were higher than he was able to accommodate.

Bettini may be just over a week away from making cycling history, as he attempts to be the first cyclist to ever win the world road title three consecutive times. He will be the leader of the powerful Italian squad, and his two recent victories at the Vuelta a Espana show that the Tuscan is on fine form.

Although Bettini's result in Varese will be central to his negotian of a new contract with a team, even if he doesn't win the legendary Italian will be in high demand from several teams. But where is his most likely landing place?

Lotto may be a possibility. They have Leif Hoste and Philippe Gilbert for the flatter spring classics, and Cadel Evans for the GC in the Tour. What they don't have is a tough one day climbing specialist. Bettini would fit in well with the Belgian squad, as he could carry the torch at the hilly monuments and hunt for stage wins in the grand tours.

Another possibility for Bettini may be with Liquigas. The acid green team has lost Filippo Pozzato to the Katuysha team, and they need a one day specialist to compliment their sprint star Daniele Bennati and GC hope Ivan Basso. They are an Italian team, and so would make an ideal fit for Bettini, especially if he wins a third world title.

With his good form and motiviation to find a new team, Bettini will be a formidable adversary on the road in Varese. Expect the "cricket" to pour all his efforts into the defense of his world title, in hopes that a third rainbow jersey will end in a pot of gold at a new team.