Basso "at peace"

"I am at peace," said fallen Italian star Ivan Basso to La Gazzetta dello Sport in regards to his leaving Discovery Channel and an advancing investigation by Italian Olympic Committee (CONI).

"Anyway, I am not going to be at the Giro. Even with the consensual separation with Discovery, I had already decided not to race it," continued the 29 year-old from Varese.

Tomorrow afternoon he will meet with CONI's anti-doping lawyer in Rome, who has opened the case that was shelved last October.

"In the last five days I have not trained and I certainly don't have the head to think of defending the Maglia Rosa. I hope to ride again on Thursday, after returning from Rome."