Ivan’s Return: Cyclist Basso Joins Discovery Channel Team

Basso To Saddle Up With Discovery Channel Team

Italian Cyclist Ivan Basso, who was cleared of doping allegations two weeks ago, has signed a three-year deal worth around $6M to join the Discovery Channel team (Jim Vertuno, AP, 11/8). USA TODAY’s Sal Ruibal reports the signing is a “strong indication that the Spanish doping investigation that kept [Basso] and other top riders from competing in the 2006 Tour de France may be fizzling out.” Other banned riders are negotiating with teams, and a team doctor “accused of being a key figure in the probe has been allowed to keep his team license.” Capital Sports & Entertainment President Bill Stapleton, whose company is a corporate co-owner of the Discovery team, said, “We’ve done a massive amount of due diligence. ... We wanted to bring in a big international rider, and Italy is a very important market for Discovery” (USA TODAY, 11/9).