Recently crowned world champions Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) and Fabian Cancellara (CSC) will be among the starters in the Trofeo Città di Borgomanero in Italy on October 15. The race is a two man time trial and there are 13 teams enrolled so far. Bettini will be partnered with his teammate Matteo Tosatto, while Cancellara will ride with either Ivan Basso or Andrea Peron. Serguei Gonchar and Eddy Mazzoleni (T-Mobile) and Luca Paolini/Stefano Zanini (Liquigas) are also down to start, as are Danilo Di Luca, Rinaldo Nocentini, Andrea Tonti and Vincenzo Nibali.
As far as Basso's situation is concerned, the organisers are hoping that he will be able to ride, pending his status in the Operacion Puerto investigation. At the moment, he is still suspended by his team and the UCI pending the outcome of the investigation, even though the Italian Olympic Committee has been looking at dismissing any charges against Basso due to a lack of evidence. Although the Trofeo Città di Borgomanero is not a UCI sanctioned race, Basso's presence could attract the ire of the world governing body, who could move to suspend other professionals taking part in it.
