Italian cyclist Ivan Basso, who is set to face further investigations, including DNA testing,...
Ivan Basso in a 2006 deja vu (Image credit: Gerry McManus)
Italian cyclist Ivan Basso, who is set to face further investigations, including DNA testing, regarding his involvement in Operación Puerto, has been asked by his team to stop competition pending the outcome of the recently re-opened investigation.
The Discovery Channel team issued a statement that said that the team "has requested that Italian rider Ivan Basso not compete pending further information in a new investigation coming out of Italy."
"We continue to stand behind Ivan and intend to cooperate with all parties involved until there is closure. It is unfortunate that this is now occurring, however, I have spoke to Ivan and although frustrated he agrees and understands with the decision we have taken," said director Johan Bruyneel.
Angelo Zomegnan, Giro d'Italia director confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that this will affect Basso's participation in the Giro d'Italia. "It's a complicated situation... Put in that situation, his participation in the Giro d'Italia will be difficult.
"To live under suspicion is frightening and I say that without any rhetoric. I hope that the truth comes out as soon as possible because cycling can't stand stress like this."
The move comes after the Italian Olympic Comittee (CONI) announced today that it would re-open the file against Basso after hearing that an Italian public prosecutor is interested in having bags of blood, which were seized as part of Operación Puerto and were alleged to contain Basso's blood, transfered from Madrid to Italy this week.
The bags, labelled 'Birillo' (allegedly Basso's dog's name) and the number '2' were suspected to belong to Basso, but CONI shelved the case last October after the Spanish judge in charge of the case ordered that national federations were not allowed to use the evidence in the case to pursue action against the athletes involved.
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The judge, Antonio Serrano, dismissed the case in March after deciding that there was not enough evidence to pursue the case based on the laws that were in place at the time the raids on Eufemiano Fuentes' clinic occured, freeing the national federations to resume their own investigations in the matter. This later led to the comparison of the blood purported to belong to Jan Ullrich against a DNA sample from the German which came back as a match.
Basso was slated to arrive in Charleroi, Belgium for the start of the Flèche Wallonne (Wednesday) and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but instead, will travel to Rome to appear before CONI on May 2nd.
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of 'Operación Puerto'
April 2, 2009 - Valverde indignant over possible suspension April 1, 2009 - Valverde: Italy requests two-year suspension March 13, 2009 - Le Monde newspaper hit with fine over Puerto allegations March 2, 2009 - WADA president Fahey asks for Puerto evidence February 24, 2009 - Spanish federation seeks access to Puerto blood bags February 20, 2009 - CONI considers Valverde case while UCI awaits verdict February 19, 2009 - Valverde under criminal investigation February 11, 2009 - Valverde summonsed for Operación Puerto in Italy February 8, 2009 - Eight charged in Operación Puerto
Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
