Arvesen narrowly held off Bettini in the sprint finish
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Norwegian Kurt Asle Arvesen snatched the eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia beating world champion Paolo Bettini in a sprint finish on Sunday.
The CSC rider claimed only his second career Giro victory in a tense finish to the 200km stage from Barberino di Mugello to Fiorano Modenese.
Marco Pinotti retained the overall leader's pink jersey.
"I'm sorry I beat Bettini like that, he did a good long sprint but I had to do it," said Arvesen.
"I know a lot of the Italian cycling fans wanted him to win the stage but I also live in Italy, near Lake Garda, and so I had to win for my fans."
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I've got to thank the team if I've kept the pink jersey
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The 32-year-old Arvesen controlled a breakaway group of 22 riders which included Bettini from the first hour of racing.
Bettini fought to overtake compatriot Emanuele Sella in the sprint finish, but was caught by Arvesen in the final 50 metres, while Kazakhstan's Assan Bazayev claimed third.
"I really wanted to win and left everybody behind except Arvesen," Bettini said.
Pinotti crossed the line a little over four minutes off the pace but holds a 28-second advantage on Italian Andrea Noe with Kazakh rider Serguei Yakovlev third at 54sec.
"I've got to thank the team if I've kept the pink jersey," the Italian said.
Monday's 177km ninth stage over the Apennines from Reggio Emilia to Lido di Camaiore is expected to favour the sprinters.
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