When pundits are asked who can stop Lance Armstrong winning a seventh straight Tour de France, the list is invariably short. But one name almost always features: Ivan Basso.
The 27-year-old Italian made a strong impression on last year's Tour, finishing third overall and even beating Armstrong in a mountain stage up the Pyrenees.
Armstrong says Basso has made marked improvements in certain aspects of his riding and considers him a serious rival.
PHOTO: EPA
"He has improved dramatically in time trials and is always strong in the mountains," Armstrong said. "He will be among the main challengers. I'm a real fan of Basso."
Basso will get the chance to test himself against Armstrong at Saturday's opening stage -- a 19km time trial from Fromentine to Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile on France's Atlantic coast.
Though he appreciated the compliment, Basso wasn't going to be fooled into believing the Texan's aura of invincibility had lessened.
"It's a pleasure for me to hear that," the CSC rider said Friday. "But a race is a race. Lance is here to win again and I'm here to do better than last year. That means either second place or a win.
"I will attack more, but it's not easy against Lance," he added. "Hopefully, I will have the legs to do better. I think I'm ready to do a nice Tour. We have the best team possible, every rider is ready."
The problem is that Armstrong looks as fit as ever, having improved his form since a sluggish performance at the Paris-Nice race and a below-par showing at the Tour de Georgia.
"`I think he's 100 percent and he's still hungry," Basso said. "When a rider wins six Tours he's not a normal person in the head. He's stronger than the other riders, fully motivated."
Basso has not raced since the Giro d'Italia, over a month ago, where he placed 28th overall after suffering from stomach pains, and he feels he'll need a little more time to find his rhythm.
"I am at 90 percent now but after two or three stages I will pick up rhythm," Basso said. "I will not be 100 percent for the first week but for the second part of the Tour I will be ready.''
He is under no illusion of beating Armstrong in Saturday's time trial. He lost both time trials to him last year, and conceded significant time in the opening prologue.
"It's a hard time trial, it depends a lot on the wind," Basso said. "If you have wind on your back it's very fast but wind against makes it feel like 10km more.
Six-time champion Lance Armstrong will pick up a handsome check if he wins the Tour de France. But spare a thought for those who could finish way behind him.
Victory for Armstrong would see him pocket 400,000 euro (US$480,400) -- a sum he traditionally splits between his teammates. Meanwhile, 170,000 euro (US$204,170) is awarded to the second-place finisher and third overall takes home 92,000 euro (US$110,500).
But those who rank 91st or below get a mere 400 euro (US$480) for 23 days of hard slog. That works out at around 17 euro (US$20) per day.
If you finish out of the top 150 (189 riders are scheduled to start) you get nothing.
Thanks for showing up, guys.
NEW LOOK BIKE
Lance Armstrong will appear a little different at the start of this year's Tour.
The six-time Tour winner will take the start line at Saturday's time trial with a sharp new-look bike that bears the hallmark of New York graffiti artist Lenny Futura -- otherwise known as Futura 2000.
Futura made his name in the early 1980s when his graffiti decorated the New York subways.
Now he has lent his skills and talent to Armstrong, customizing the Texan's bike for today's 19km time trial from Fromentine to Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and