Ivan Basso convicted of doping has just left Armstrong's former team, why?

Question

What does it mean for LA's legacy?

Answer 1

I'm incredibly disappointed with the sport at this moment. The bottom line is that it is becoming very apparent that organized doping was routine practice in cycling. The kind of practices we are seeing come out of Operacion Puerto in Spain show about 110 cyclists involved in one form of doping or another. Not only that, it shows exactly the same behavior that people around Lance had been alleging even before these details became public. After speaking with a lot of people very close to the sport, I have no doubt that almost the entire sport has been dirty for years. The testing is simply not as good as these doctors. Ulrich never tested positive. Yet he has recently been shown to be guilty via DNA sample. This is not good for the sport.

Answer 2

Ivan Basso was not convicted of doping. He left because he didn't want to be a distraction to the team. It won't affect Lance's legacy one way or another.

A lot of good comments here about these issues. I believe Jay P when he thinks the sport has been dirty for years. Some were just fortunate enough to not get caught.

I also agree with bikernoj when he essentially says that there is a big conspiracy going on. Dick Pound and WADA have had it in for cycling for some time now. They were just never successful in catching anyone. Now they'll stoop to any level to get their way. Even if it means framing Floyd, or asking "witnesses" to come forward years later and trash Lance.

The sport has had problems, has problems, and will always have problems. WADA and UCI should wipe the slate clean, not fret over past allegations and move forward in the most positive way to combat the doping issues.

Answer 3

Basso hasn't been convicted of anything ya twit, he hasn't even been formally charged. In fact, he was cleared of any involvement last year by the italian olympic committe. The italians re-opened an investigation into his relationship with the spanish doctor fuentes for what appears to be political reasons. From cycling news.com "The 2006 Giro d'Italia winner was allegedly linked to Fuentes"

He left the team because of the distraction that was caused by this WADA witch hunt. According to UCI Pro tour rules, no rider can particiapte in an event if the are under investigation. Look for some link between the owners of the liquigas or Lampre and the italian 'justice' system.

This has no bearing on lance armstrong whatsoever. Basso and armstrong were competitors when lance was racing, and discovery didn't sign basso until he was cleared by CONI. There has not been even a hint of any link between Fuentes and armstrong.

Lance is clean - always has been.

Answer 4

Basso's reasoning is he didn't want to distract the team from competition with the doping scandal. He also said that, since Disco is shopping around for a new sponsor, he would not want any thing potentially negative going on with the team. So... he resigned.

I am a Basso fan, but I am also kind of suspicious of this. By breaking his contract with Disco, he no longer will have to provide DNA evidence against the bags of blood found during Puerto. I really want to give him the benefit of a doubt, but now I don' t think we will ever know.

Answer 5

Ivan Basso was NOT convicted of doping, he was only ACCUSED. But as far as Dick Pound (what a great porn name!) and WADA are concerned, accusation = guilt.

Someone asks, "Why quit?" If WADA's witch hunt targets a rider on a team, chances of that rider successfully defending themselves is so far ZERO (go Floyd!).

In the meantime, WADA and the UCI can prohibit the ENTIRE TEAM from competing based on the circumstancial evidence they have on that one rider. They have total control over any rider's future, and at this point it's becoming more obvious that all these "scandals" have just as much politics behind them as they do "justice" for the sport.

So withdrawing from the team is the honorable thing to do, as it keeps the other riders in the Tour and allows Discovery to ride well & seek new sponsorship.

Answer 6

He asked to be relieved of his contract. CONI has scheduled another meeting with I'm. They will probably ask him for a DNA sample at that time.

Why quit? There are many reasons but it does look suspicious to me. So riders caught up in this scandal are demanding to have a DNA test done so they can clear their name. Others are quietly riding with new teams.

I don't think this affects lance at all simply because he was the most tested cyclist in the world. Along with the fact that he was not listed by the documents that netted Basso.