Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso targeted the yellow glow of the Tour de France on Sunday after moving from his “dark period” to a second splashing of pink in remarkable time.
The Italian, also winner in 2006, powered his way through the demanding three-week race to seize a second Giro title and first major scalp since a two-year ban for attempted doping.
His victorious comeback from the 2007 suspension has been more rapid than many other riders caught up in cycling’s doping storm and he now heads to next month’s Tour in a confident mood thanks in part to the support of his two young children.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Six-year-old daughter Domitilla has become Basso’s driving force after suffering with her father during the ban.
“They were small and it was difficult to know what they were thinking, but they have eyes which speak and today she was really, really happy,” the Liquigas rider told a news conference through a constant wide smile. “In 2008, in the middle of the dark period, I saw the last stage of the Tour when Carlos Sastre won. I was happy when Domitilla saw his kids get up on the podium, I could see she wanted that as well.”
After easing round the final time-trial stage in the ancient city of Verona, where romantic lines from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet adorn the streets where the play was set, Basso announced another chapter in his own love story.
A third child is due by the end of the year, although Basso joked that he had not taken the news well.
“My wife told me a few stages ago. I sped away,” the 32-year-old said, the pink sunglasses on his head perfectly matching his pink winner’s jersey.
Racing the Giro and Tour in one year is hard enough without trying to be competitive in both, especially as this year’s Italian race was tougher than usual because of crashes, bad weather, steep peaks and shock breakaways.
Basso is nevertheless ready to tackle the Tour and wants to push favorite and defending champion Alberto Contador all the way.
“I want to race the Tour too much. Tomorrow there will be the Tour brochure in my hands,” he said in one of Verona’s grandiose municipal buildings. “I’ve never come across Contador when I’ve been in my best form. In the last four years ... he has been incredible, but inside of me, I believe.”
Australian world champion Cadel Evans, fifth overall and the points classification winner, was not banking on Basso making a realistic Tour challenge.
“It’s a bit early to say just yet,” the BMC rider said.
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