Cycling Profile: Ivan Basso
Ivan Basso is an Italian professional road bicycle racer and is also considered to be the best mountain rider in history, as some consider him to be the best stage race rider as well.
He is two time winner of Giro d’ltalia in 2006 and 2010, while he is riding for CSC team in 2006 and for Liquigas team in 2010. He was suspended for two year in 2007 because he admitted that he was planning to use doping. Basso suspension ended in October
and then he took a part in Japan Cup and grabbed third place behind Damiano Cunego.
As an amateur cyclist Basso took second place in 1995 Junior World Championships and in 1998 his first big result was winning the U-23 World Championship. Before he turned into a professional, his parents wanted him to complete his Technical Geometry studies.
In 1999, he returned in cycling with Davide Boifava’s Riso Scotti-Vinavil team and in 2000 he won his first victory in Regio-Tour.
Under the control of director Giancarlo Ferretti he joined the Fassa Bortolo. He took a notable victories in 2001 season and made debut in tour de France. He launched an attack in a five man breakaway rider but he crashed on the mountain and abandoned the
race.
In 2002 season he grabbed overall 11th place in the Tour de France and also secured white jersey. In 2003 he showed his good effort and took the overall seventh place, although he was in good form in Tour de France but in the major race in Italy
he was behind his team-mate Dario Frigo. After a decent start to his promising career, the relationship with his director Giancarlo Ferretti was turned sour because Basso unable to respond well to the Supervision.
In the start of 2004, the Italian joined the CSC team under the supervision of manager Bjarne Riis. Basso failed to perform well in the time trial race so his team-mate Carlos Sastre trained him. Basso improved well and won the 12th stage Tour
de France ahead of Lance Armstrong. However, he again failed to perform well in time trial race in stage 16 and 19. He lost combined timing of 5 minutes and 13 seconds in two stages. Due to this he grabbed third place with 6 minute and 40 seconds down to Armstrong.
In 2005 edition in Tour de France Basso again failed in time trial stage and grabbed overall 28th place with the difference of 4 minute and 40 seconds behind Armstrong. During 2005 season Basso signed three year contract with CSC team. In 2006
edition he performed well in time trial stage one and finally Basso and his team-mate won the first five stages. However, he lost to secured first place in the last stage and he declared that he continue to ride in 2006 Tour.
On June 30, 2006 Basso was suspended for two years because of rumours of blood doping. According to the investigation his blood sample was given to the Spanish Clinic and due to an agreement he was removed in Tour de France 2006. He returned to racing in
October 24, 2008.
In 2009, he claimed overall victory in Giro del Trentino and first place AC Arona. He also took overall fourth place in Giro d’ltalia and fourth place in Vuelta a Espana. He continues his effort in the 2010 and won the overall Giro d’ltalia. He also won
the fifteen stage of Monte Zoncolan.
In the ongoing season Basso secured first place in GP di Lugano and overall fourth place in Tirreno-Adriatico. He also took overall seventh place in Volta a Catalunya and overall eighth of Tour de France.
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