Another idol falls; Basso comes clean on doping involvement

Italian cycling star Ivan Basso has told prosecutors that he was involved in the Operacion Puerto blood doping scandal.

Update: May 8, 2007 — At a press conference, Basso said the blood was his but he never used it. “It was only attempted blood doping.” See more at CyclingNews. Also check out Bicycle.net, where VeloGuy asks “Is Basso crazy?”

Basso, until last week a member of the Discovery Channel cycling team, met with Italian anti-doping investigator Ettore Torri and agreed to cooperate with the probe.

According to a press release reported by CyclingNews:

“Ivan Basso has largely admitted his responsibility relative to Operación Puerto and has provided the maximum collaboration to clarify the facts relative to his involvement.”

First reported in the Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian cycling federation complimented Basso on his decision, saying, “Ivan has done exactly what everyone asked of Pantani, and Marco didn't do; now, we ask in the name of cycling to not leave Ivan Basso alone.”

CyclingNews says there are reports that a two-year suspension that would allow him to race in time for next year's Giro d'Italia.

Basso, 29, rode for Team CSC last year and won the 2006 Giro d'Italia. He vowed to win the 2006 Tour de France as well, but was one of more than 20 cyclists who were pulleed from the race when their names were associated with Spain's Operacion Puerto doping investigation.

See more at CyclingNews, VeloNews, BBC. Also Tour de France blog says a press conference is planned for Tuesday.

See also: Discovery cycling team says: “Arrivederci Basso.”