It’s Vincenzo Nibali versus Ivan Basso at the Tour de France 2012
Team Liquigas-Cannondale is looking to plan its Tour de France around Ivan Basso. The Italian squad has still not ruled out the inclusion of its second leader, Vincenzo Nibali, at the event.
Basso is riding with Roberto Amadio’s team since 2008 and helped the team with his numerous victories over the span of five years.
He has participated in a maximum number of 14 Grand Tours and has also secured an overall victory on two occasions.
Ivan won the 2006 and the 2010 editions of the Giro d’ Italia. He had a terrific 2011 season, with an overall victory at the GP di Lugano and also finished fourth at the Tirreno-Adriatico.
He finished 7th overall at the Volta a Catalunya and claimed the 8th overall position at the Tour de France 2011.
On the other hand, Vincenzo Nibali is expected to represent the team at the Giro d’ Italia 2012.
The cyclist finished third during the two previous editions of the race and he is most suited to take the podium position at the race.
However, Basso is also eying the French Grand Tour and believes that he is more suited for the Tour de France than the Giro. The cyclist has also ruled out the possibility to ride both the Grand Tours.
He told Biciciclismo, “If you ride the Giro, doing the Tour well isn’t possible. I really like the Giro, it’s a race that has given me a lot and has a better route for me this year”.
He further added, “I would like to ride it. Ivan will do the Giro and the Vuelta; I don’t think he will go to the Tour. But in any case, the season is long and the programme can change”.
Nibali is currently focusing on Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and Ardennes classics for the season ahead.
The final decision about his Grand Tour participation will be announced later on.
It is believed that Nibali might end up riding both the events as Alberto Contador did last year. The Spaniard won the Giro d’ Italia and also claimed the fifth overall position at the Tour de France 2011.
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