Italian rider says Spaniard deserves the presumption of innocence
Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso has given his support to triple Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, saying that he hopes there is a quick resolution to the case and that it works out well for the Spaniard.
“I hope that Alberto can leave this soon and make the best of this situation. For everyone there is a presumption of innocence,” the Italian told Datasport.
Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol during this year’s Tour de France. He was crowned the victor in Paris, but found out several weeks later that he would be placed under investigation because of that adverse signing. The B sample also came back positive and a request for disciplinary action has been sent to the Spanish cycling federation RFEC.
Basso, who said that he is “not a lawyer,” and admitted he is “not familiar with the facts,” knows what it is like to be under the media spotlight. He was implicated in Operación Puerto in 2006 and ultimately served a long suspension. He returned to racing in late 2008 and has gradually regained his strength, winning the Giro this season.
He is thought likely to pass over the Italian stage race in 2011, preferring instead to target the Tour de France, a race he placed third in back in 2004 and second in 2005. Basso knows that Contador would be his biggest rival if he was there, and he would like to know whether or not he will take part.
“He is considered the strongest ever in stage races but my problem is now is whether or not he will be at the start of the next Tour de France,” said the 32 year old. “My only concern is to get to the Grande Boucle in the best physical shape possible.”
His hope that the Contador situation is resolved soon is likely also related to the fact that he doesn’t like to see the headlines dominated by doping cases. “It is not nice for our world to continue to hear of these problems but we should also note that cycling is a sport that is doing more than all in the fight against doping,” he concluded.