« Armstrong hits marathon target | Main | Petacchi back on pedals »
November 08, 2006
Basso to join Discovery Channel
cyclingnews.com | Basso to Discovery Channel: "It's done"
Ivan Basso is set to join Discovery Channel for 2007, after being cleared to ride October 27th by the Italian cycling federation.
Basso, who won the Giro d'Italia this year, only to have his victory tarnished by unproven allegations that he was involved with Operación Puerto doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, gives Discovery Channel the undisputed GT leader it lacked in 2006.
Discovery team co-owner Lance Armstrong confirmed the signing to La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian), and CyclingNews reports an official announcement is expected this afternoon in Austin, Texas.
One possible fly in the ointment: Basso is likely to be asked to submit to DNA testing, which he and his lawyers have resisted until now.
Update: Here's the official release posted at ThePaceline.com (free registration required).
Posted by Frank Steele on November 8, 2006 in Ivan Basso, Top Stories | Permalink
Comments
like we didn't see this one coming. Will it mean going back to the "all for one leader" tactic - in which case why the big summer clear out to bring in more all rounders - I can't imagine Leipheimer will be all that pleased. It seems clear that the discos are still a team working out what to do in Armstrong's absence.
Posted by: steph at Nov 9, 2006 6:48:37 AM
I agree, Levi can't be too happy about this. After watching him at the USPro races just a couple months ago, I was looking to seeing him riding as a leader for Discovery in the tour. We all knew this was going to happen, but I am still a little bummed now that it is official.
Posted by: James at Nov 9, 2006 12:24:38 PM
