First-time Giro d'Italia competitor Lance Armstrong taped a message for the 2009 course presentation in Venice on Saturday in which he reviewed some of the challenges of next year's bike race.
The press has been saying that Armstrong is racing the Giro d'Italia in May to win, then the Tour de France in July to support his Astana teammate Alberto Contador. But on Saturday he said:
“I know there's a lot of talk about the pink jersey. I'm excited to race hard, but Ivan Basso is my favorite.”
Basso will be competing for the first time in a couple of years after being caught up in the Operacion Puerto doping probe and serving a two-year pro cycling ban.
In 2004 and 2005, Basso dogged Armstrong through the Tour de France and finished 3rd and 2nd in those years. In his first year of retirement, Armstrong touted Basso as the winner of the 2006 Tour de France.
After a dominating win at the Giro d'Italia in 2006, his season was cut short with the doping allegations as he was banned from participating in the Tour de France. He eventually received a two-year ban, which was lifted on Oct. 24, 2008.
The 31-year-old Italian is currently riding with the pro cycling team Liquigas.
You can see the Armstrong video at La Gazzetta dello Sport.
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