The Quick Step Team at the Giro* got a visit from Tom Boonen, apparently, who brought along his karaoke machine and a handful of microphones. And his Metallica CD. Finally, there’s something to smile about. (*Scratch that, apparently this was recorded back in January sometime.)

The video evidence, seen here, is far too short for my tastes, but it’s good for a little grin in these dark days of cycling. Personally, I love how seriously they’re all taking it. Boonen looks like he’s making an honest-to-goodness music video. At least the guys behind him on the left seem to find it a little amusing at the end. And yes, that’s World Champ Paolo Bettini in the video on the right. Check out the earnest looks on the faces in the picture above, too - you can barely see it, but Bettini’s on the right of that picture, singing soulfully into a camera. Way to go, Paolo.

UPDATE: Here’s more information about what the hell the QS boys were doing with the singing - it was apparently for some Eurosport program called “What’s Pop?” and the song, “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, was chosen by Boonen and Bettini. Among those doing the singing were Tosatto, Van Impe, Steegmans, Baguet, Hulsmans and Tankink.