PARIS - Australian Michael Rogers and Italy's Ivan Basso were among a number of top cyclists to pay tribute to Aldo Sassi after the popular Italian coach died in the early hours of Monday. Known for his staunch anti-doping stance, Sassi's training philosophy brought much success to some of the world's top riders. The Italian, who founded and presided over the Mapei Research Center for … [Read more...]
Mapei Founder Dead At 51
December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
PARIS - The founder of the Research Centre of Mapei Sport, Italian Aldo Sassi, died during the night Sunday into Monday of a brain tumor at the age 51, it was announced by the Italian media. Aldo Sassi, who was part of the team that supported Francesco Moser's record time in 1984, was the personal coach of several riders, including Australian Cadel Evans and Italy's Ivan Basso. Italy's … [Read more...]
Ivan Basso and Teammates Prepare For The 2011 Season
December 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
VAN BASSO AND TEAMMATES PREPARE FOR NEXT SEASON ON THE SNOW AT PASSO SAN PELLEGRINO The first Liquigas Sport stage of the season ends in success Passo San Pellegrino (TN - Val di Fassa) – If you pass through Passo San Pellegrino you may come across the riders from Liquigas Sport in their team jerseys. This time they’re not on bikes, although the Giro has ridden through here many times, … [Read more...]
Ivan Basso Will Begin Season At The Tour de San Luis, Argentina
November 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
ROME - The winner of the last Giro d'Italia, Ivan Basso (Liquigas), will begin his season at the Tour de San Luis, Argentina (January 17-23 2011), "he said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. "In 2011, I anticipate my debut race will be different than last year because I took too many risks, I was too numb and I had to settle for recovery in the Tour de Romandie, "said … [Read more...]
The Tour de France Yellow Jersey Men Look Onwards and Upwards
October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Written by: Justin Davis PARIS - The potential heirs to defending yellow jersey champion Alberto Contador were given sufficient warning on Tuesday: the 2011 Tour de France will be won almost exclusively in the high mountains. In an hour-long presentation detailing the 21 stages of the 98th edition, Contador, currently provisionally suspended after a sample taken during the 2010 … [Read more...]
Basso Makes Emotional Tour Return
July 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - Italian star Ivan Basso admitted the emotions were in full flow as he prepared to complete his return to the Tour de France this week. Basso returns to the race with a strong Liquigas team for the first time in four tumultuous years, although in 2006 the Italian ace did not even get to turn a pedal in anger. Implicated in the 'Operation Puerto' doping scandal … [Read more...]
Basso Relishing His Tour Return
June 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
PARIS, June 28, 2010 - Italy's Ivan Basso admitted Monday he is relishing his return to the Tour de France five years after last competing as he leads a Liquigas team which also includes Czech rider Roman Kreuziger. Basso was forced to withdraw on the eve of the 2006 race and was later banned two years for his involvement in the Operation Puerto scandal. This year he has been in fine … [Read more...]
Tour de France 2010 Contenders
June 27, 2010 By 1 Comment
Favorites for the yellow jersey for the 97th edition of the 2010 Tour de France, to be held July 3-25: Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana Labeled the 'best in the world' by none other than seven-time champion Lance Armstrong, Contador's morale needs no boosting before his bid to add a third yellow jersey to his wins in 2007 and 2009. Contador's sublime climbing skills were matched by few … [Read more...]
Count Basso Among My Tour Rivals, Says Contador
June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Written by: Justin Davis EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France, June 5, 2010 - Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will count Ivan Basso among his biggest challengers this year after the Italian's impressive victory in the Giro d'Italia. Basso finally exorcised the ghosts of a career-threatening doping ban last month when he captured his second pink jersey from the Giro to put … [Read more...]
Basso Basks In Pink, But Can’t Wait For The Tour
June 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Written by: Justin Davis PARIS, June 1, 2010 - Recently-crowned Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso has promised to compete with the few real contenders for cycling's prestigious yellow jersey after pledging to race the Tour de France in July. Basso, who finished runner-up to seven-time champion Lance Armstrong in 2005, secured his second pink jersey from the Giro d'Italia on Sunday … [Read more...]