Paolo Bettini celebrates 1st victory this year in Austria

The final sprint of the first stage of the Tour of Austria from Klausen/Chiusa to Toblach/Dobbiaco in South Tyrol had been quaint: Volksbank professional Gerrit Glomser seemed to be the winner of the first stage, but Olympic champion and double world champion Paolo Bettini surprised the Austrian rider and won the stage at the last few meters. Davide Rebellin finished third.

It has been a very exciting stage of the 60th edidion of the international Tour of Austria: Gerrit Glomser who won the Tour of Austria twice, he was looking forward to his victory too early and Paolo Bettini just laped him a few meters in front of the finish line. Bettini celebrates his first win of the season: "I like Austria! I was world champion in Salzburg and this season has not been very successful for me at the classics and the Giro d'Italia. " 

Hero of the day was Dominik Roels (Milram) from Germany: 35 kilometers after the start in Toblach he attacked and was at the top for more than 120 km. 

On the climb to the Lake Misurina, 20 kilometers before the goal, Roels was catched up by the followers. Then the race started to be very exciting. 14 riders built a leading group with all famous athletes: Davide Rebellin, Thomas Rohregger, Gerrit Glomser and Paolo Bettini. On the last few kilometres ten more riders joined the leading group and 24 riders arrived in Toblach, where finaly winner Paolo Bettini was celebrated from his fans. 

Gerrit Glomser who was laped a few meters in front of the finish was disapointed. 300 meter in front of the finish he started the sprint. "Three meters in front of the finish-line I thought I won the stage, but unfortunately I have not seen Bettini. He was just a little bit faster than me. " 

Paolo Bettini won the yellow jersey and leads the points classification. The mountain jersey will be worn by Giampaolo Caruso. And Gerrit Glomser gained today the Tchibo jersey of the best Austrian rider.