> Ivan Basso : leaves Team Discovery Channel after doping case reopened

Ivan Basso, the italian cyclist, who has been considered the strongest contender for the crown of heir apparent of lance armstrong, Left the newly joined Team Discovery channel after the case against him being involved in operation Puerto was reopened by Italia Authorities.

This is particularly sad for the cycling and Tour De France and Giro De Italia this year, as this will be a big blow to the popularity of sports which is not getting more and more entangled with the problem of doping.

The Story goes like this:

May 2006 : There was a raid by spanish authority in Madrid at place of a doctor thought of being involved in supplying performance enhancing treatment to the athletes.

May 2006 : the primary reports involve more that 50 cyclists involvement in the investigations named Operation Puerto.

June 2006 : just prior to start of Tour De France a premier race in calendar Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso, and 7 other riders were suspended from tour on news of involvement in Operation Puerto. Every rider denied their involvement.

This lead to a particularly strange development, Team Astana a new entrant was left with too few riders to race in Tour De France, so they had to withdraw ultimately denying Alexander Vinukurov a potential winner participation in 2006 tour eventhough he was not involved in doping.

September 2006 : Italian Authorities drop allegations agains Ivan Basso and release him for professional competition.

October 2006 : Ivan Basso parts way with his current team Team CSC by mutual agreement

October 2006 : union of professional cycling team passes a resolution not to sign riders involved in Operation Puerto till completion of investigations.

November 2006 : following clearance of Basso by italian Union Team Discovery Channel sign him for 2007 season rather controversially.

April 2007 : On suspicion of Basso`s DNA sample matching with that of bags seized from Spanish doctor`s clinic Italian Authority reopen case against him.

May 2007 : Team Discovery channel suspends Ivan Basso, days later he leaves Team and admits to having a role played in Operation Puerto.

a really sad story indeed.

sources:
Basso Said Admits Role in Doping Scandal
Tour De France Wants Some Cyclists Out
Basso quits Discovery Channel team after fresh doping allegations - International Herald Tribune
Top cyclists could be expelled from Tour de France again, director says - International Herald Tribune
Pro teams voice concern over Basso signing

i saw the thread now

btw tour de france starts from jusy 7th. Unlike last year, i am planning to watch every race this year. (missed 5-6 in the middle last)
Although frankly all the dope scandals have left a bad taste in the mouth. Cycling needs to be cleaned up. Cycling as a sport has become synonymous with dopnig with special thanks to Landis.

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i thought so why there wasnt a single reply in this thread.

that dampened my spirits and i withhold a thread on french open.

now the champ has shown interest be sure a good hefty thread on FE on tour de france.

yes cycling scene is so poor with every now and then one or other cyclist or team getting involved in the doping.

It was Team Festina which gave doping in cycling a limelight, miguail indurain and lance armstrong were speculated but were never proven.

then came operation puerto and lastly the nail in coffin by Landis.

lets see how the scene develops now.

Thing is, cycling isnt very popular. not as a sport and not even as a sport only for viewing.

I know only 4 guys or so in cycling. Landis (had never heard of him until last year), Armstrong (heard of him only after he started winning), Ullrich (or is it Ulrich ?? ). And now this Ivan Basso.

Dont feel discouraged Doc.... I am looking forward to your French Open thread.

french open is half finished so not worthy of a good thread may be at the end a concise report.

i sure will make a thread for tour de france so that people here at least get a first hand know how of cycling.

Oh jeez! Basso too ? Damn I didnt even know he joined TD