Basso to ride for Discovery Team

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday November 8, 2006

Rome- Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso will ride for the American Discovery Channel team after agreeing a three-year contract, the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported Wednesday. The 28-year-old Basso, who parted company with his CSC team last month, will reportedly receive 1.5 million dollars a year for riding for Lance Armstrong's former team.

Basso and other riders such as German Jan Ullrich were suspended on the eve of the start of this year's Tour de France start after Spanish police documents linked them with doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, the man at the centre of a Spanish doping probe.

However, the reigning Giro d'Italia champion learnt last month that he won't be charged on doping violations by the Italian Olympic Committee CONI.

Basso will meet up with his new team on December 3 in Austin, Texas and is expected to compete in next year's Tour de France as well as other major cycling events.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency