Bettini's premature pose at Giro d'Italia bike race

Make a note, Paolo Bettini: Don't raise your arms to celebrate a win unless you come in first.

CyclingNews says QuickStep's sprinter struck the celebratory pose crossing the finish line for Stage 9 at the Giro d'Italia bike race, but it was Tomas Vaitkus of AG2R who won the stage. Giro favorite Ivan Basso keeps the leader's pink jersey, with little change in the overall classification.

(Bettini is redeemed, winning the 15th stage on May 22)

The 79-mile bike race along the Adriatic from Francavilla al Mare to Termoli was mostly flat, except for a hilly section the cyclists entered about 30 miles from the finish. A breakaway of Yuriy Krivtsov (AG2R Prevoyance) and Cyrille Monnerais (Francais de Jeux) gained about 4 minutes, but Krivtsov dropped Monnerais going into the hills.

Bettini's QuickStep team powered the peloton into the hilly section, catching Krivtsov and causing Robbie McEwen — a 3-time winner this Giro — to drop off the back of the peloton.

The QuickStep team apparently couldn't punch the accelerator all the way to the finish. The pace slacked and McEwen was able to catch back on and join the top sprinters at the line, finishing 5th.

The results: Vaitkus, Bettini, Olaf Pollack (T-Mobile), McEwen.

VeloNews reported Jan Ullrich made an appearance at the head of the peloton, driving a path for teammate Pollack. Ullrich has been quiet in this Giro as he gets into shape for the Tour de France.

Overall, it's Basso in first
José E. Gutierrez of Phonak in 2nd (1:34 behind)
Damiano Cunego of Lampre in 3rd (1:48 behind)
Paolo Savoldelli of Discovery in 4th (2:35 behind)
Serguei Honchar of T-Mobile in 5th (2:43 behind)
Danilo Di Luca of Liquidgas in 6th (2:48 behind)
Gilberto Simoni of Saunier Duval in 7th (3:20 behind)
Giampaolo Caruso of Liberty Seguros in 8th (3:23 behind)
Tom Danielson of Discovery in 9th (3:31 behind)
José Luis Rubiera of Discovery in 10th (3:39 behind).

Tuesday's 116-mile stage from Termoli to Peschici takes the Giro into the mountainous section along the Adriatic Sea called the Monte Gargano.

More results and reviews at CyclingNews and VeloNews. Also watch the Giro live video streaming at OLN's website or broadcasts from 5-7 p.m. (ET) Sundays at OLN.