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Interviews :: Ivan Basso

Ivan Basso, Team CSC

21 October 2005

King of Denmark on Tour and 2006

Ivan Basso Started In Milano-Torino, photo: BiciRace.com

Ivan Basso (Team CSC) has had a complete 2005 season, racing end to end. The Italian (27) started his season with the Milano-Torino, then he worked towards the Giro d'Italia, followed by the Tour de France. It was a rare Giro-Tour double by a 'favorite' that is not often seen in modern cycling. His efforts resulted in stage wins, the Maglia Rosa and 2nd in the Tour behind Lance Armstrong. Basso did not head off to the beach after France, instead he went north and ruled the Tour of Denmark. Read on and learn more about one of the classiest riders in the peloton.

Original Italian Version

End of Season

Basso In TT Mode, photo: BiciRace.com

BiciRace.com:  Ciao Ivan. What have you been up to in your free time?
Ivan Basso:  Now my free time is devoted to my family, I have not yet decided where we will go in vacation. Also we will spend time defining the final details for the team next year. Riis takes my opinion into serious consideration.
BR:  Looking back, what did you think of the San Francisco Grand Prix? And the city, did you get a chance to visit?
IB:  The race in San Francisco was very tough, and I prefer not to think of it. It was not one of my better performances of the season. There was a lot of ups and downs ... You have to have great legs to do well. I was not the best.
BR:  After San Francisco did you want to continue, and seek out revenge in this year's Giro di Lombardia?
IB:  Unfortunately I did not do Lombardia. I realized that I was not able to go 100%, but only at 85% I preferred not to go forward only to honor my name.
BR:  Looking back over the year, what has been your one best day of racing, win or no win?
IB:  The period in which I was truly super super was at the Tour of Denmark [Post Danmark Rundt]. I did a lot of great things in such a small course. [Read: Basso is King of Denmark, 8 August]

Moving Up in the Tour de France

2nd At Tour for Basso, photo: CyclingTime.com

BR:  You were very impressive in Denmark. Also, congratulations on the 2nd position this year in the Tour de France. What would you change about how your rode the Tour?
IB:  At the Tour I went well. Now I will evaluate with Bjarne what to change in the approach of the next French race. For sure I will be racing in the month of July. For the Giro I have not yet decided. I am Italian and I would like to be there. I will come into form for the classics like Liège and Amstel [Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Amstel Gold Race].
BR:  If you could, what would you change about the Tour route? Would you add more mountains, time trials, etc?
IB:  The Tour is good how it is. It is the riders that must know how to win.
BR:  For a rider that is so famous in Italy, is there any difference in the pressure at the Tour, versus the Giro?
IB:  This year I put a lot of pressure on myself at the Tour, I was not able to make a mistake after the failure at the Giro.
BR:  We think you did well in both races. Again, congratulations. Explain to the BiciRace.com readers what other sports do you follow?
IB:  I watch soccer and all of the sports in general ... when I am able.
BR:  Do you think cycling is given enough credit in the Italian Media, or in the World?
IB:  Cycling has to have a bigger consideration.

Varese: Worlds and Riding

Basso Thinks of Worlds, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

BR:  How is the progression of the 2008 World Championships for Varese?
IB:  The Worlds are proceeding well. Amedeo Colombo [part of the organizing committee] will do a good job. The people from Varese want make a great impression for this occasion.
BR:  It is very exciting to have the Worlds come back to Italy after four years. What is the riding like in Varese?
IB:  In Varese there are many routes. I train in the area of Brinzio and Sacro Monte. It is a pity that at times the traffic can be excessive. [Read: Varese Uses 1951 Circuit, 23 September]
BR:  Yes, also there is that problem in other parts of Italy. Ivan, thank you for taking time out of your schedule for a BiciRace.com interview. Good luck with the rest of the season. Ciao!
IB:  Thank you. When you have questions, and it is possible, I will respond.