World Champion Paulo Bettini (Quick Step) got his first win of 2008 Monday after surprising Austrian Gerrit Glomser (Volksbank) on the line of the first stage of the Tour of Austria. Gerolsteiner's Davide Rebellin finished third.

"I like Austria!" Bettini said. "I was world champion in Salzburg and this season has not been very successful for me at the classics and the Giro d'Italia."

Milram's Dominik Roels (Milram) took off on a solo break 35 kilometers after the start in Toblach and stayed away for more than 120 km. He was caught about 20 kilometers from the end on the climb to Lake Misurina.

Eventually a group of 24 riders formed and arrived together in Toblach, where Glomser jumped with 300 meters to go and thought he had the race won.

2008 Tour of Austria, stage 1: Glomser didn't see Bettini coming up.

Photo: Klaus Titzer / www.derfotograf.at

"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," Glomser said.

Since the partial results of Sunday's rain-shortened prologue were nullified, Bettini takes the yellow jersey and leads the points classification. The mountain jersey will be worn by Giampaolo Caruso. Glomser will wear the Tchibo jersey of the best Austrian rider.