I think he’s actually been released earlier than they thought. Still gutted for him though. So unfortunate.

A) Basso will bring added media attention to the media attention Armstrong will bring, and the Basso vs. Armstrong match up will also get more people to watch
B) Basso is probably the best hope for the Italians next year, the Tifosi would mob Zomegnan if he bans Basso from riding.

But if he does ban Basso then that decision would be up there on the dumb scale, with Ball saying Pevenage is the greatest DS of the last 20 years.

were certainly directed Vino. If the UCI fails to block his return, then the organizers will make sure he doesn’t take the start in any important races. Should Schumi somehow find a way to wiggle out of his suspension, RCS is making it perfectly clear that he will be unwelcome, as well.

Basso is safe. There is no way in hell he misses this year’s Giro.

Cleary, doping is the larger problem, but I’d call this a close second. IMHO, the ProTour was a laudable attempt made by the UCI to avoid another Mercury fiasco—and that was definitely a fiasco. How can any DS walk up to a large corporation and ask them to fork over the cash unless they can be assured of the races that the team will be able to participate in? It just doesn’t make sense.
I don’t know Zomegnan’s intentions, but excluding riders and teams for arbitrary or political reasons is a major blow to global cycling. It makes me wonder if cycling isn’t regressing toward its jingoistic past and using doping as cover. Will Basso have his own personal helicopter during the TT’s, pushing him toward the line? Do we remember Moser?

is fucked. If he’s going to exclude riders who dope, then he has to start with Basso. Which he can’t do, and if he doesn’t then you have a ridiculous double standard. Game over.

Larger question: Are we supposed to exclude ex-dopers when their ban is up? I’m thinking no. Obviously nobody thinks David Millar needs to be stopped, but you get a different response when the subject is Hamilton or Basso. What’s the difference, their level of spoken contrition? Perhaps, but words aren’t a very reliable indicator of anything. Once more, we’re asked to look into the riders’ hearts to determine if they’re worthy of reentry, which we can’t do. The only reliable, consistent answer to “how long should a guy be punished for doping” is the punishment handed down by his federation, and whatever the UCI decrees. So when it’s up, well, I guess you’re back in.

This doesn’t really belong here, but I’m not clever enough to come up with 75 words to say Kohl banned for two years. Not a lot of details out there yet—maybe somebody can do a proper post once there is.