Mission gold jersey for Basso

The long season of Ivan Basso, began on 11th January in Argentina, arrived at the second important event. After the Giro d’Italia, the leader of Liquigas-Doimo will be at the Vuelta a España with great ambitions and, above all, more conscious of his possibilities.

«I faced the preparation for this stages race with calm and without stress – affirms Basso -. The weeks before the Giro were full of waits: the pink race was my first engagement to obtain comparisons that give feasibility to the feeling had during trainings. It was a fundamental stage that gives me useful suggestions. During summer months I concentrated myself on the aspects to improve, as the change of rhythm. At the end, now that I have a better feeling in race, I chose to rely on personal sensations rather then scientific data».

Basso is convicted and ready to approach the Spanish stages race with new confidence thanks also to a route that spurs him: «Is the first time in my career that I face Vuelta and I want leave the mark. Five climbing arrival, hard stages full of climbs and two difficult time trials. I can’t deny that is adapted to my characteristics. This factor, together with the good condition that I reached thanks to August races, allows me to be optimist: the final victory is a concrete goal».

At the end, the thought of Basso is for team-mate Vincenzo Nibali, victim yesterday of a crash that caused him the fracture of collarbone: «I’m really sorry for Vincenzo, he was showing his great talent during this season. He presents important satisfaction to our team and he could aspire in a great World Championship. I wish him to recover soon, hoping to see him in saddle as soon as possible».

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