Ivan Basso sees no problems developing with teammate Vincenzo Nibali
Italian rider Ivan Basso has said he is ready to star for Liquigas-Doimo alongside compatriot Vincenzo Nibali next season.
Basso won this year's edition of the Giro d'Italia, but failed to make an impact at the Tour de France, where he finished 32nd.
"I'm satisfied with my 2010 season, because I won the Giro and it was a very special moment in lots of ways," Basso told Cyclingnews.
"However, I can't be totally happy with my season, because I wasn't happy with my performance in the Tour. Unfortunately, the Giro d'Italia was very hard and that meant that all the riders who [rode] it then struggled in the Tour."
The climbing specialist, who just concluded his debut season for Liquigas, races alongside Nibali at the Italian outfit.
Nibali, who won the Vuelta a Espana last month and came seventh in the 2009 edition of the Tour, shares many of Basso's ambitions on the Grand Tour.
Despite the pair fighting for the same titles, Basso insisted that there are no problems between him and Nibali, either of whom could lead the team in the Grand Tours of 2011.
"I've got a lot of respect for him and I think he's got a lot of respect for me. He's had a great season and really emerged as a huge talent. However, we know we can work and ride together. We did it this year and it was a success. We're both intelligent
enough to make sure we don’t step on each others toes."
Roles yet to be determined
Some have speculated that Nibali will be chosen as leader in the Giro, while Bassi will focus on the Tour, but 32-year-old said the team's plans for next season are yet to be laid out.
"We'll decide our goals for 2011 at the first Liquigas get-together at the end of November. Any decision will depend on several factors, including the details of the two races, but I can assure people that there won’t be any problem between me and Vincenzo."
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