March 22, 2003 – Wearing the World Cup leader's jersey, signifying his overall win last year, Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step) has begun the season with a bang. Today's 297k race came down to a breakway that managed to stay away over the famous Poggio climb, with the bunch sprint behind the winners being won by last year's winner, World Champion Mario Cipollini ( Domina Vacanze-Elitron). With the win, Bettini takes the lead in the Overall World Cup.

1. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick.Step-Davitamon 6.44.43 (44.03 km/h)
2. Mirko Celestino (Ita) Team Saeco
3. Luca Paolini (Ita) Quick.Step-Davitamon 0.02
4. Mario Cipollini (Ita) Domina Vacanze-Elitron 0.11
5. Dario Pieri (Ita) Team Saeco
6. Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Telekom
7. Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
8. Jan Svorada (Cze) Lampre
9. Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Fassa Bortolo
10. Guido Trenti (USA) Fassa Bortolo