BiciRace.com :: News :: Tragedy for Bettini: Brother Sauro Dies

News :: October 2006

3 October 2006

Tragedy for Bettini: Brother Sauro Dies

Yesterday, Sauro Bettini (42), brother of new World Champion Paolo Bettini, passed away in an auto accident.

Bettini wins, photo: www.ciclismovitamia.it

Ten days from one of the greatest joys in Paolo Bettini's life has arrived the saddest of moments, the passing of his only brother, Sauro. Last night, at 23.30, 100 meters from the first exit for California (Livorno, Toscana) and the family home, Sauro's Subaru rolled. The 42 year-old, whose car ended off the road in a drainage ditch, was still alive when he was pulled out by the Carabinieri but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Sauro leaves behind his wife and 10 year-old son.

The World Champion, Paolo Bettini, was informed and left Bologna, where he was for this Thursday's Coppa Sabatini, to return home with his family.

Sauro was always at the side of Paolo (32) throughout his career; it was Sauro who let out a deafening roar in the spectator's tent in Salzburg when Paolo won the sprint to become World Champion, and it was Sauro who was organizing a grand celebratory festival next week for his bother.

BiciRace.com is saddened by this report, and we send our condolences out to friends and family of Sauro Bettini.

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