Basso stays home for CONI's submission

By Gregor Brown

Ivan Basso was slated to take a vacation with his family for three weeks after a long hearing process with Italian Olympic Committee's (CONI) antidoping prosecutors but will instead stay at home. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 29 year-old, who admitted his involvement with Spaniard Eufemiano Fuentes, will remain at his home in Cassano Magnago until his case is deferred to the Italian cycling federation (FCI) disciplinary commission.

Head CONI prosecutor Ettore Torri wanted to have Basso's interrogation documents (based on three hearings, May 2, May 7 and May 10) prepared to send on Friday but was not ready and will wait until Monday, May 14. Before departing Basso will want to hear what type of suspension Torri has recommended to the FCI.

Basso, known as 'Birillo' and number '2,' faces up to two years and the stripping of his 2006 Giro victory. On May 7, he admitted to working with Fuentes but, a day later, he publicly watered-down his admission. "It was only attempted doping," he commented conference room full of journalists and photographers in Milan.

He claimed to not ever using the blood extracted and found in Fuetes' labs. "I never used the blood in Madrid," he noted.

Under the defence terms, there will be a two week period before FCI will make a decision.