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Tearful Bettini wins final classic

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COMO, Italy -- Reigning world and Olympic champion Paolo Bettini of Italy scored an emotional victory in the season-ending Tour of Lombardy on Saturday, dedicating the win to his eldest brother who was killed in a car crash last week.

It was the second win in the race - which was celebrating its centenary - for the 32-year-old, who crossed the line crying and pointing to the sky.

"Today I was not pedaling alone. I will never forget this day," said Bettini.

Bettini, who was winning his ninth classic but first of the season, had said that he almost gave up after the death of his brother Sauro on October 2.

Spain's Samuel Sanchez finished second, eight seconds behind, and Germany's Fabian Wegmann was third.

"The person who used to cheer me from the roadside can't do it anymore but he was with me today. I didn't win by chance," added Bettini.

The family tragedy came hard on the heels of his victory in the world road race championship in Salzburg, Austria.

However, Bettini maintained his superb form to the final ProTour event of the season, making his move 16 kilometers from the finish of the 245-km event.

The Quick Step leader burst clear of the lead group on the penultimate climb.

He was to be joined by Wegmann after coming down the mountain and they went up the final one together 20 seconds ahead of a group of six riders.

However with 8km to go Bettini shook off Wegmann while the German was eventually caught by Sanchez.

Bettini stayed clear to become the first world champion since Oscar Camenzind in 1998 to win both events and only the seventh man in history.

Spaniard Alejandro Valverde won the overall ProTour title but refused to take part in the race because it was deemed by his team a lack of respect that he would not be awarded a prize giving ceremony for his feat.

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