Basso is my favourite rider. Here's a diary he's writing for cyclingnews.
Ciao!
I am really excited to start my diary with Cyclingnews.com. You may have already seen the Mapei Sport link on my site, IvanBasso.it. It explains how I train and it provides all of my values. However, it is great to give my fans a more personal and approachable side to my return.
Throughout the coming year I'll aim to explain how I am feeling and how I am living on a monthly basis – through the good and the bad times.
The battles
I have faith for next year. Even in last month's Japan Cup there was a large turnout and support for me. This gave me hope for the future because at the start of my suspension people were very disappointed with me. I hope that they are able to see the work and effort I have put in during the last two years and that they are able to respect these aspects.
Of course it has been tough, but I thought the best thing to do during my suspension was to pass the time in silence and work hard. I am trying to return with something new and I'll let my results do the talking.
"Those who still have something against me are beyond the point of righteousness."
The world of cycling saw how Operación Puerto was managed and it's subsequent fallout. Everyone came away from it their own ideas about the facts. I think that those who still have something against me are beyond the point of righteousness – I can't do anything to change their beliefs. I can only do my work with transparency and those who are against me will see the battles waged in the races.
If someone looks at the facts of Operación Puerto – who was investigated, who served time – I think that they will agree that those who have been banned should be able to return. Some people are disappointed and can't accept that some people immediately come to shake my hand and welcome me back, but I want to show the nay-sayers what I can do in 2009. They can see how I will race, as well as my training, and they can get an idea of what is behind my victories. I think that this is the response that people want, they don't want a lot of words – they want facts. I have a chance to show this with this diary and with the numbers on the Mapei site.
Dreaming of the Giro
During the last two years and my training it was not a question of being physically strong; we will see this at the races. I already saw some response at the Japan Cup. That brought up a great emotion within me – to return to racing and the work I love. At the same time, I understood that throughout my personal growth and the time away from the sport that I did not lose the know-how of being at the front of the race and being the protagonist against riders who were going strongly. This was a positive thing.
"I want to make the race and not follow."
I said to the team and the director sportif that I want to make the race and not follow. I ordered the team to the front and they helped make the selection.
Right now there is a lot of desire to start the next season, but I have to stay calm and relaxed. There are still fundamental steps to take and with every race next year I want to learn something so I arrive at the Giro d'Italia with my best form.
This month is all about relaxing, but I still go out on my bike two or three times a week for two or three hours. It is always at a tranquillo pace though. Today was a day of rest, but yesterday I did three hours. Besides the week of vacation I take this month with my family, the other time is filled with training and interviews. Even with the bad weather we have been having recently in Varese, Italy I was able to find patches of time in the day when I could head out on my bike without rain.
Family fortunes
My family was always at my side during my time away from the sport and allowed me to do my work and feel like a racer. They celebrated the return to racing with me and are my number one fans. Both of my babies [Santiago, two and a half and Domitilla, five and a half years old - ed.] are able to see my return. My older child said, "Daddy, Daddy, your sanction is done or not? I see a lot of journalists in the house. What is going on?" She understood that something is changing.
She understood it all from the beginning and this was one of my biggest disappointments. I could not permit myself to do harm to a little baby. However, she was able to see how dad faced up to his problems. She saw me every morning getting on my bike and going out training. She understood and learnt of her father's characteristics.
My wife was able to draw security from how I managed myself in the last two years. It was not only the problems of Operación Puerto, there are many other problems in life. When one is able to pass a difficult period with grit then they are able to confront other problems with the same fight.
Next week, I will enjoy a week of vacation in Zanzibar with them. In the last two years we were never able to enjoy a time away and this will be a true moment of pulling away from it all. It will allow me to truly relax for 2009. The first team camp will be at the end of November and then 2009 will be underway.
The Liquigas team is taking shape and we are growing closer. It is not at the level were I want it to be yet because we have only done five days together as a team, in Japan. I talk with Roberto Amadio and Stefano Zanatta two or three times a week. There are about 10 riders that I hear from regularly, the others less, but after the camp at the end of this month it will really start to grow.
Lately, I've been on vacation with my family and attended the first of many team camps. Our week-long holiday in Zanzibar was beautiful, the first vacation I've taken with a clear head, as previous holidays have all been about getting away from my problems. This one was for the family though, and a chance for us to relax. I dedicated all my time to my wife and children and forgot about any work stuff because this would be the last chance to spend a lot of time with them, as the season will soon be off and running.
The camp has gone well and I am very happy with my teammates - we were able to find a good rhythm. Like many off-season camps, we did a lot of off-the-bike work; plenty of cross-country skiing, hiking and mountain biking in the snow. It was very different from what we will do at the next camp, which will be focused on the bike. This time together allowed us to gather and enjoy time with work, something that helps us get to know each other better this way. Check out the photos, and you can see we had a lot of fun.
Liquigas is a big team and one of the strongest in the world, and we have a budget to do these camps. It's a far cry from how things used to be. When I made my debut with Riso Scotti [1999] there was only one day set aside in December to hand out the team materials - bikes, racing and casual clothing. We would do a proper camp in January and start racing in February. Now, we have 10 days in Bibione and San Pellegrino, we will do a ten-day camp in Spain, and those who go to Argentina for the Tour de San Luis will do another 10 days of camp before the race.
You’ll be interested to read that we had a UCI representative, Mario Zorzoli, who came and talked about the biological passports and whereabouts programme [they are visiting most of the ProTour teams - ed.]. He focused on how to enter the data online, et cetera. For me it was covering old ground, because for the last year I have been doing this. I am already in the whereabouts system and subject to random testing.
Looking ahead
"I don't want that anyone gives me a medal for what I am doing."
Basso on his return
I have read with interest some of the reactions to my diary on Cyclingnews. Some people who are still against my return to the sport have to think and take into account the events of Operación Puerto and what happened from June 30 [2006] onwards. They have to consider what happened to me and what happened throughout the investigation. Not only that, but also what happened in the last two years, unrelated to Puerto.
Testing with Sassi
I visited Aldo Sassi at the Mapei Sport Lab on Friday, November 28. We saw some very encouraging results and it is a good sign for things to come. As you know, he will be giving me training advice throughout 2009.
Here are Sassi's comments:
"We did a V02max test on November 5th 2008. Ivan reached a remarkable 5.76 litres/min, which related to his body weight means 83.5 ml/kg/min.
"This value is nearly the double of the value reached by a sedentary man of the same age, and is a value which usually can be found in the best pro cyclists, mostly among climbers. In trained cyclists this value fluctuates within a 10% – rarely 15% – range. It is lower at the beginning of the seasonal training period and reaching the higher values when the fitness level is at the top.
"Considering that Ivan sustained this test 10 days after the end of the strenuous season, without an accurate warm-up and only one and a half hours after lunch, the result is good."
I believe that the people who are following me now appreciate the hard work that it takes to return and to race with complete transparency.
I want the chance to show that what I am doing now – with transparency – will allow me to return back to the top. I don't want a medal for what I am doing, or compliments, but only the possibility to do my work and have a chance. I have to try and show people that I am strong and not racing in the shadows of the past.
I think American fans will be curious to see the new me, and that chance will come with the Tour of California. I like travelling to the USA. I have been to California more than any other place there, and so it makes me happy to be able to return. It is also good for our sponsor [Cannondale bikes, Garmin computers and Speedplay pedals] and it is important for them.
I have raced the Tour of California twice before; it's a great race that rivals anything Europe has to offer.
Armstrong
I'm looking forward to seeing Lance Armstrong in California. I have read that he thinks I'll be the favourite but I believe that he will be the strongest! Lance knows me as a person and as a rival, so, more than anyone, and he knows what I am capable of. However I consider all of my rivals to be equally dangerous and therefore I am aiming to have the best legs possible for the Giro.
He has a personal significance for me because of what he did for me in 2005 when my mother had cancer. His foundation tried to find the right doctors to solve her problems. In Italy there were no longer any possibilities other than waiting for her to die. He helped to prolong her life for a few months. It was very, very special for me. I know what he did for my family, so I can confirm his true desire to fight cancer.
Helping at home
Like Armstrong, I do what I can to raise funds for charities. Right now I am working for the Bianca Garavaglia Association. It is doing research on cancerous tumours in babies, from birth to eight years old. I chose to help Bianca Garavaglia because it is in my home area and a schoolmate of my daughter received help and became better thanks to the association's work.
Definitely being a father of two children made me think about the significance of their work, and certainly if I can give a little, I will. The first thing I did for them was help set up an auction for a Garmin computer that I used in Japan, and the money that I make from that will go for their research. Garmin helped me all throughout last year and this was a special computer they gave me to use in Japan, so I hope it raises a lot of money. [It raised 1,310 euro - ed.]
Last Sunday I rode the Pedalata con i Campioni to help raise further money. Every participant paid to ride along with the professional riders and their money went towards charities. I decided to have my share go to Bianca Garavaglia.
I'm writing this from our latest team training camp in Benicà sim, Spain. We are here for our first official full-on camp and we're all enjoying it. For me it's a strange experience though, as it has been two years since my last camp. We had the one at Bibione at the beginning of this month, but it was more of a meet and greet with little to no training. In Benicà sim we are riding, having massages, starting on our special diets – it is all pretty hard core and in many ways it feels like the season has already started.
I'm writing this from our latest team training camp in Benicà sim, Spain. We are here for our first official full-on camp and we're all enjoying it. For me it's a strange experience though, as it has been two years since my last camp. We had the one at Bibione at the beginning of this month, but it was more of a meet and greet with little to no training. In Benicà sim we are riding, having massages, starting on our special diets – it is all pretty hard core and in many ways it feels like the season has already started.
- Giro d'Italia presentation and reaction
It all got underway on Friday, in Milan, with the presentation of the 2009 jersey. The race's director, Angelo Zomegnan, is working really hard for this Giro and is pulling out all the stops for the centenary anniversary. When two famous stylists, like Dolce and Gabbana, do something for cycling it is important because it helps to broaden the cycling audience. People who were previously not interested in the sport will now be talking about the new jersey. That has to be a good move.
"When you think about the Giro you can't decide which the most difficult stage is. They are all battles within a great war."
- Basso on racing the Giro
Anyway, I arrived in Venice on the Saturday. It is a very, very beautiful city that has the sights to take your breath away. To be honest though, I didn't really have a chance to appreciate it. My mind was focussed on one thing, and one thing only, the 2009 route.
I saw the course unveiled at the Teatro Fenice that evening. It will be a very interesting race next year. When you only have two or three mountains above 2000 metres it becomes a very difficult race. You have to win day after day, searching to gain time stage after stage.
Those first mountain stages, in the Dolomites [four and five], prove that you have to arrive at the Giro with excellent condition. You cannot lose ground in these days, and try to gain time if possible. They are 'light' Dolomite stages and are not the big ones we usually see.
After those stages, there are a lot mountain and medium-mountain stages still to come. Everyday there is difficulty.
The Coppi stage [stage 10] is perhaps the most difficult when you look at the overall profile. There are some famous climbs to cover in that stage – Maddalena, Vars, Maddalena, Vars, Monginevro and Sestrière, Monginevro and Sestriere. The finish is on a descent, 40 kilometres, and that changes things significantly. If the arrival was at Sestrière, on the mountaintop, it would be different. It is a day to lose the Giro, but not win it.
I am not only a time trialist and not only a climber, I have a good balance. I can go well in both terrains. Whoever wins this Giro will be the rider who is attentive and up front every day. That long time trial [stage 12] is very, very difficult with the two climbs and the tight roads though Cinque Terre.
There are only two stages in this whole Giro where you can bank on a sprint finish, where the classification men can remain calm. The other 19 stages can all present difficulties. There is always the chance of wind, bad weather or a crash. When you think of the Giro you can't think which is the most difficult stage, they are all battles within a great war.
The finale is in Rome, a beautiful city like Venice. Unfortunately, we will not be able to take in the sites because it is a time trial that could decide the Giro. However, Zomegnan really created a special 100-year anniversary Giro, which includes the finish through the historic city of Rome.
- Twitter
Some of you may have seen me on Twitter. The guys at Cannondale told me about Twitter when I was visiting them at Salk Lake City earlier in the year. Not to sound like an advert but you can easily and quickly make updates via cell phone. Cannondale's Rory Mason really pushed and convinced me to sign up.
I know that Lance Armstrong is on it and he has lots of readers. In Italy we don't really use as people Stateside but I want to miss out. By the beginning of the year I will start to update it more, the last few entries have just been tests.
I am not always connected to the internet and it is difficult for an athlete to find a connection when he is travelling. I think, with this, it will be simple to make an update right after a race, maybe why I am in the team car on the way to the hotel.
Bye, Ivan
Edited by fenian_1234 on 20-12-2008 00:17
Since I last dropped by Liquigas have held another training camp in Benicà sim, Spain. Unlike the previous get together we put in some hard miles and really intense training. We typically went out in groups or twelve depending on our goals for the coming season, so I've been training with all the guys who'll be riding the Giro with me next year. It's still early but I feel like it is all coming along well.
Next stop is Argentina, where I'll be training and racing with the team for a few weeks. We'll be trying to make the most of the warm climate and getting some race miles in our legs at the Tour de San Luis will help for later in the season.
Currently though I am at home with my family for the Christmas period. After I returned home, I was given the opportunity to help a cancer-specific hospital in Milano, called Tutto Tumore. I brought the children a lot of toys, Liquigas hats and jerseys, and well wishes. It felt really, really good to give back at this time of year.
Back at the Basso household my wife and I are preparing all the gifts for our own children, but we don't have to do a lot though to be honest. This year we have been sent gifts from fans all over the world. Gifts are arriving for my two children – Santiago and Domitilla – from Holland, France, Belgium... None are for me, but they are all for them. About 50 little gifts each!
After we opened our presents on Christmas morning I went our training. It was only for a few hours but it's a tradition for me that I've always done. I don't tend to train that hard but with so many pros around this area it's a great way for us to have a good friendly ride.
After Christmas we headed down to Michele Bartoli's home in Pisa. Michele and I are good friends from the time we raced together [2002 to 2004] at Fassa Bortolo and CSC. Our wives are also close friends too. We both have two children around the same age, so it makes for a great time together. We'll stay with them until New Years Day.
By now you will have probably read about Bartoli's plans to return to racing. I don't have an opinion on what he should do, and as a friend I only want what is the best for him. If he is happy racing, then I want him to return, if not, then it is fine by me.
Before I dash to celebrate the New Year with the Bartolis, I wanted to thank Cannondale for helping me in the last few months. They and I have been working tirelessly on my new road and time trial bike. I can't say too much on it yet as it's all hush hush but we're specifically working on something for stage 12 of the Giro.
