Cycling: Angry Basso Hits Out at 'time-bomb Justice'
Ivan Basso has criticised the IOC's anti-doping office for reopening its Operation Puerto investigation.
The Giro D'Italia winner, Ivan Basso, today criticised the "time-bomb justice" levied upon him after the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping office reopened the Operation Puerto investigation.
Basso, who was left in tears when informed he had to compare his DNA with blood retrieved in the inquiry, told the Il Giornale newspaper of his frustration at the decision. "I'm not going to give up, I'm going to carry on. I'm strong-minded," he said. "However, I feel really frustrated. If these latest events had emerged in December or January, everything would have been clarified and closed now, for good or bad. Instead, new documents have suddenly arrived two weeks before the start of the race [the Giro d'Italia]. First they let me train like a donkey and then say 'Sorry, please stop and explain'. That's a time-bomb form of justice."
The Italian was forced to cancel his participation in the Flache Wallonne one-day classic on Tuesday and his defence of the Giro is looking unilikely after officials resumed their investigation into the Spanish blood doping ring. He has also been suspended by his Discovery Channel team.
Investigators have seven bags of blood allegedly belonging to the rider, who is due to appear in front of the anti-doping agency (Coni) on May 2. If he refuses to give a sample prosecutors say they will use blood taken from an unannounced control a few weeks ago. According to his lawyer, Massimo Martelli, Basso cried when he heard the news. "I've never seen him like this. He is doing very poorly," said Martelli.
Basso, 29, was one of more than 50 riders implicated in the doping probe centring on doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. He has protested his innocence and a case against him by the Italian cycling federation last year was shelved. He faces a two-year ban if found guilty. "I'll be there on May 2 to understand what new things I'm facing," added Basso. "My DNA? I've already given my permission to everybody, my team and even to the anti-doping investigators."
Basso, who was left in tears when informed he had to compare his DNA with blood retrieved in the inquiry, told the Il Giornale newspaper of his frustration at the decision. "I'm not going to give up, I'm going to carry on. I'm strong-minded," he said. "However, I feel really frustrated. If these latest events had emerged in December or January, everything would have been clarified and closed now, for good or bad. Instead, new documents have suddenly arrived two weeks before the start of the race [the Giro d'Italia]. First they let me train like a donkey and then say 'Sorry, please stop and explain'. That's a time-bomb form of justice."
The Italian was forced to cancel his participation in the Flache Wallonne one-day classic on Tuesday and his defence of the Giro is looking unilikely after officials resumed their investigation into the Spanish blood doping ring. He has also been suspended by his Discovery Channel team.
Investigators have seven bags of blood allegedly belonging to the rider, who is due to appear in front of the anti-doping agency (Coni) on May 2. If he refuses to give a sample prosecutors say they will use blood taken from an unannounced control a few weeks ago. According to his lawyer, Massimo Martelli, Basso cried when he heard the news. "I've never seen him like this. He is doing very poorly," said Martelli.
Basso, 29, was one of more than 50 riders implicated in the doping probe centring on doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. He has protested his innocence and a case against him by the Italian cycling federation last year was shelved. He faces a two-year ban if found guilty. "I'll be there on May 2 to understand what new things I'm facing," added Basso. "My DNA? I've already given my permission to everybody, my team and even to the anti-doping investigators."
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Cycling: Basso Prepares for Lengthy Ban
- Cycling: Basso Quits Due to Doping Inquiry
- Cycling: Basso Suspended As Doping Case Reopens
- Cycling: Armstrong on Offensive Over Basso Deal
- Cycling: Armstrong Confirms Capture of Basso
- Tour De France: Tour Elite Caught Up in Drug Clampdown
- Basso and Ullrich Ruled Out of Tour
- Basso and Ullrich Facing Expulsion
- Cycling: Tough Tourist Aims to Go Where Even Armstrong Did Not Dare
- Cycling: Basso and Ullirch Vying for Crown
- Cycling: All Uphill for Basso's Giro Rivals
- Armstrong Pretty in Yellow
- Cycling: Basso Set for One Knockout Attack
- Armstrong Climbs Into Position for Mountain Ambush
- Armstrong Makes His Move