Sep 7, 2006
Ivan Basso Update
Today Ivan Basso’s follow up court date was delayed until September 29th. Basso was originally scheduled to appear in court on Sept 12th to follow up on the proceedings from August 29th. No reason was given for the delay except the usual Italian justice slowdowns.
Tuttobiciweb.com writes that Basso feels exhausted at the latest delay in his case.
” I understand and respect the fact that justice needs to take its time. But at the same time I don’t see an end to this situation.
Basso is hoping to see his case resolved quickly so that he can get back to racing and be cleared of his involvement in Operation Puerto.
“I repeat what I have said many times throughout this case, I am not involved. This I will repeat to infinity. I am very respectful ofeverything and everyone, but I would like to be heard and I would like people to believe what I have said[...] I would like to say that I am upset because I have not stopped riding and training on my bike for one day. At this point I don’t see a time when I can return to racing with a number on my back. I feel like a prisoner waiting for justice, and each day I have to wait longer, this is truly exhausting.”
ivanbasso.net reports that if Basso is acquitted of all charges that he may be racing for Milram next year. Rumr has it that the Italo-German squad has been in contact with Basso, probably more than Bjarne Riis. So, if Basso is cleared and if Riis doesn’t want him back, Milram would be the next choice. Those are lots of ifs.