Speaker
Biography
Paolo Bettini (La California, Bibbona, 1974) is one of the most iconic and successful figures in modern road cycling.
Origins and Sporting Career
Born and raised in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, Paolo lives in a hamlet on the hills of the Val di Cecina, a territory to which he is deeply attached. During his competitive career he established himself as a pure champion on mixed and demanding courses, building a legendary palmares:
● 2 Road World Championships: Salzburg 2006 and Stuttgart 2007 (joining the exclusive club of riders capable of defending the rainbow jersey for two consecutive years).
● 1 Olympic Gold Medal: Athens 2004, with a decisive attack in the road race.
● Cycling Monuments: 2 Liège-Bastogne-Liège (2000, 2002), 2 Il Lombardia (2005, 2006) and 1 Milan-San Remo (2003).
● 3 World Cups: Won consecutively from 2002 to 2004.
After retiring in 2008 and serving as National Technical Director of the Italian road cycling team (2010–2014), Bettini has brought all his expertise, wit and passion to the world of television.
He worked for a long time as a technical commentator for Rai Sport, guiding fans through the tactical analysis of the great classics and the Giro d'Italia. Among his main projects on the small screen, Giro Express stands out — a TV format created to tell the story of Italy through the stages of the Corsa Rosa and the Giro d'Italia Women: alongside actress Marianella Bargilli, Bettini explores by bicycle the villages, food and wine culture, history and scenic beauty of the country.
Origins and Sporting Career
Born and raised in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, Paolo lives in a hamlet on the hills of the Val di Cecina, a territory to which he is deeply attached. During his competitive career he established himself as a pure champion on mixed and demanding courses, building a legendary palmares:
● 2 Road World Championships: Salzburg 2006 and Stuttgart 2007 (joining the exclusive club of riders capable of defending the rainbow jersey for two consecutive years).
● 1 Olympic Gold Medal: Athens 2004, with a decisive attack in the road race.
● Cycling Monuments: 2 Liège-Bastogne-Liège (2000, 2002), 2 Il Lombardia (2005, 2006) and 1 Milan-San Remo (2003).
● 3 World Cups: Won consecutively from 2002 to 2004.
After retiring in 2008 and serving as National Technical Director of the Italian road cycling team (2010–2014), Bettini has brought all his expertise, wit and passion to the world of television.
He worked for a long time as a technical commentator for Rai Sport, guiding fans through the tactical analysis of the great classics and the Giro d'Italia. Among his main projects on the small screen, Giro Express stands out — a TV format created to tell the story of Italy through the stages of the Corsa Rosa and the Giro d'Italia Women: alongside actress Marianella Bargilli, Bettini explores by bicycle the villages, food and wine culture, history and scenic beauty of the country.
Featured events