Ivan Basso visits CONI for a third time

Ivan Basso, the ex-Discovery Channel rider embroiled in Operación Puerto, was heard by Ettore Torri, CONI's head anti-doping prosecutor, for the third time this May. Yesterday's hearing in a secret Rome location, combined with the ones on May 2 and May 7, made for a total nine hours that the two have talked.

"I can only say that I saw him; Ivan Basso is one that wants to say and do a lot. We will see," commented Torri yesterday to La Gazzetta dello Sport after a three hour meeting with Basso.

"It was to have some clarification of the explanations that Basso had given and that contradicted with the other legal investigations related to Operación Puerto," he added.

Torri indicated that Basso is "collaborating" and that he has provided useful information. "There are not any new names," Torri concluded, which could indicate that Basso has already provided a list of other riders or that he is continuing to keep a tight lip.