The Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) sentenced Ivan Basso with a ban of two years. The federation punished Basso harder than the advice that was given by the Italian anti-doping authorities (CONI). CONI earlier gave an advice to sentence the winner of the 2006 Giro d'Italia with a ban of 21 months.

Earlier today Basso said: "I know I made mistakes and I deserve a penalty. The former rider of CSC and Discovery Channel continued by saying: "But i want to be punished for what I did and not for what has been published [by the media] about me. I want a fair penalty." 

Basso's lawyer told the disciplinary commission of the FCI that his client was never caught and confessed but it seems that the words of Basso's lawyer did not impress the members of the commission.

Ivan Basso wants to continue his career after his ban: "You always need a goal in life," Basso said after the hearing. "I love the sport and started riding with six years old."

Earlier today cyclingnews.com reported that the UCI wrote a letter to the Italian federation in which the World Cycling Federation wrote that a ban of 21 months is not possible and announced they would go to the international Sports court (TAS/CAS) to appeal in case the FCI would not give Basso the maximum sentence of a two year ban.

The  Italian Cycling Federation will meet on Friday June 15 to decide what penalty Ivan Basso will get for his involvement in the Fuentes affair.

Ivan Basso surprisingly confessed he was a client of Spanish Doctor Fuentes early May. First it looked like the 29 year old winner of last years Giro d'Italia cooperated with Italian anti-doping authorities CONI, but one day later Basso seemed to have changed his mind. CONI first spoke openly about a suspension of 12 months for Basso but later CONI prosecuter Ettore Torri told reporters he was dissapointed about Basso's cooperation with the anti-doping authorities. CONI asked the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) to give Basso a 21 months suspension. The UCI already said that isn't enough, the World Cycling Federation demand that Basso becomes a suspension of 24 months.

Michele Scarponi, who confessed last month that he is the rider behind the nickname Zapatero on the Fuentes list, could face a ban of 18 months, that is the penalty that CONI asked the FCI to give to Scarponi.

The CONI hearing involving Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso has been adjourned to a date still to be decided. Last years winner of the Giro d'Italia has been accused of violating article 2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code concerning "use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method."

CONI spokesman Fabio Filocamo  told reporters: "I am sorry but we can't give away any more information because the investigation is still ongoing." Filocamo coninued by saying: "Nothing special has happened but there is still work to be done. It wouldn't be fair to reveal details of the investigation while we are still working on the case."

About Basso's behaviour: "He's got his line of defence but we can't complain about his behaviour and we hope he's willing to collaborate in the future," Filocamo added.

Filicamo said there is no decision about DNA samples of Basso: "We still haven't faced the question of the DNA testing. It's still to be decided by both parties but we've talked about it."

Earlier Aqua e Sapone rider Michele Scarponi was heard by CONI. Scarponi agreed to give a DNA sample. Scarponi hopes to start at this years Giro d'Italia. Ivan Basso already announced that he won't defend his title at this years Giro d'Italia

Ivan Basso has quit the Discovery Channel team following the reopening of an investigation into his role in a Spanish doping scandal.

The Giro d'Italia champion asked to be released immediately from his contract, citing personal reasons. He faces an Italian Olympic Committee hearing on Wednesday on charges of having used or attempted to use a banned substance or method.  Basso, who has always denied doping, was suspended by his team last week.

He said: "It is important that everyone knows this was 100% my decision. Nobody asked me to leave.

"The team is trying to find a new sponsor and win bike races, and my situation is a distraction to both of those goals."

The 29-year-old signed a two-year contract in November to ride for the US outfit. Basso was one of 50 riders implicated in last year's Operation Puerto, which led to his exclusion from the Tour de France. His name turned up on a list of cyclists who allegedly had contact with a Spanish doctor accused of running a blood doping clinic in Madrid. Basso was cleared of involvement by the Italian Olympic Committee and the Italian cycling federation in October.

However, Italian doping investigators have reportedly obtained bags suspected to contain Basso's blood from Spain and want to compare them with his DNA.

This month, a DNA sample of 1997 Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich was matched to blood bags seized in the scandal.

The now-retired German has denied using any banned substances. Cycling's governing body the UCI has refused to comment on reports that fresh evidence in the Operation Puerto case implicates dozens more cyclists.

Source: BBC RSS

On Sunday April 29th Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team member Ivan Basso requested a meeting with General Manager Bill Stapleton and Sports Director Johan Bruyneel. At the meeting Basso asked to be released from his contract, effective immediately, citing personal reasons related to the re-opened investigation by the Italian Olympic Committees (CONI). At the conclusion of the meeting Bruyneel and Stapleton granted the request and have taken the appropriate steps to formally release him from the Team.

“This was a very difficult decision, for me and my family, but I think it is the right thing to do. Johan, Bill and my teammates have always believed in me and shown me great respect. This decision is my way of showing them that same respect,” stated Basso. “The Team is trying to find a new sponsor and win bike races, and my situation is a distraction to both of those goals. It is important that everyone knows this was 100% my decision. Nobody asked me to leave. I am grateful to all of the staff and riders and wish them the best of luck.”

In October 2006, the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) officially shelved the Basso case following a recommendation by CONI. However, early last week CONI re-opened the investigation which dates back to July 2006 when Basso was kept from competing at the Tour de France. Tailwind Sports subsequently asked Basso not to compete until more information was available. Basso is scheduled to appear before the CONI on Wednesday May 2nd.

“Ivan’s request was unexpected and he was very emotional, but adamant, about his decision to be released. We spoke with him at length before granting his request. Although he was only on our Team for a short time he was a great leader and a very well respected and selfless teammate. I, along with the entire Team, wish him the best,” commented Johan Bruyneel.

Team Discovery Channel is without a title sponsor at the end of 2007 and Tailwind Sports General Manager Bill Stapleton is optimistic about the Team’s future even without Basso.

“Ivan was a great addition to our Team and I am very sad to see him go. He was one of our leaders and we expected big things from him this season, however, this Team has 15 wins in 2007 and we have great depth and talent on our roster. We will continue to win and be competitive in all of our races, including the Tour De France,” commented General Manager Bill Stapleton. “When we signed Ivan, all the necessary governing authorities had cleared him. He deserved a Team and we had always wanted to sign him. We did our due diligence and we have no regrets.”

Ivan Basso (Discovery Channel) is suspended by his team after the Italian anti-doping authorities (CONI) re-opened the case agains last years winner of the Giro d'Italia and several other riders. CONI also announced that the cases against Giampolo Caruso, Luca Paolini, and Michele Scarponi will also be re-opened. However Caruso was allowed to start at yesterdays Fleche Wallonne. CONI will ask Ivan Basso to provide a DNA sample so the Italian anti-doping authorities can make a DNA comparison with several bloodbags that were seized during the raids of the Guardia Civila attwo  Fuentes appartments on May 23, 2007.

Team management at Tailwind Sports has requested that Italian rider Ivan Basso not compete pending further information in a new investigation coming out of Italy. The Italian Cycling Federation and Italian Olympic Committee conducted a full review last fall of Basso’s implication in the “Operacion Puerto” affair, occurring prior to the start of the 2006 Tour de France, and found no evidence of any wrongdoing.

Additionally, the Spanish Cycling Federation closed all disciplinary investigations, announcing that all riders implicated were free to compete. Basso was subsequently signed to the Discovery Channel squad after these findings were announced.

Consistent with the Team’s stated position on this issue, upon notification of the new investigation opened in Italy, General Manager Bill Stapleton and Sports Director Johan Bruyneel will not allow Basso to race pending further information.

“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,” stated Sports Director Johan Bruyneel.

Tailwind Sports management has always maintained a zero tolerance policy in regard to performance enhancing drugs and has never had a rider test positive in more than 10 years of operations.

“It has always been Team policy to hold our riders to the highest standards while respecting their rights and privacy. For these reasons we have requested that Ivan not race until we receive more information and this issue has been resolved,” stated Team General Manager Bill Stapleton.

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