Free Elisa Basso, Maybe

Ivan Basso, last year's Tour of Italy winner and a pre-race favourite for the 2007 Tour de France, quit his Discovery Channel team yesterday claiming that the ongoing Puerto investigations was damaging the team.
The Cycopaths sincerely hope this was a voluntary decision on Ivan's part and that Johan Bruyneel doesn't have Basso's lovely sister, Elisa the weather girl, tied up in closet in West Flanders. Mr. 60 has found himself in similar situations and we can say with a straight face that it's no picnic.

What we find most interesting are Basso's recent comments regarding his situation. He stated yesterday that he is "at peace" with himself ahead of an Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) hearing on doping allegations on Wednesday.

"Whether I'm going to a hearing or not, I'm at peace with my conscience," he added.

Is it just us, or is he beginning to sound more like a man resigned to his fate rather than one fighting to clear his name?

We here at Cycopaths feel terrible for the smiling assassin. Why should he pay such a heavy price for his dog's poor decisions?

It happens to us when we look at her too, Ivan.

Another day, another doper?

What, me worry?

I'd like to say that the world of cycling has been rocked by the announcement of Ivan Basso's suspension but then I'd be a liar. After all, his dog is named "Birrillo" and he did come in 16 seconds behind in a Giro stage with Simoni. How could he not be guilty?

I admit, though, to not being entirely convinced. Has anybody checked the name of Davide Rebellin's dog? If it's "Birrillo", there are going to be some very embarrassed anti-doping officials out there. Never mind the fact that Basso's victories in the Giro '06 and Tour of Denmark '05 were ridiculously dominant. Or that his DS was the namesake of my Cycopaths colleague Mr. 60%.

Apparently Italian officials are convinced that there's enough circumstantial evidence to warrant an investigation; blood bags are on the way to Italy at this very moment. DNA whacked Ullrich, why not Basso? But, we ask, when is Basso's dog getting DNA tested? and is that canine master of disguise still at large?

Does this look like a doper to you?

Then Why Aren't Basso's That Big?

The just released Anna Nicole Smith autopsy results reveal that she was injecting herself with Human Growth Hormone in addition to a mixture of prescription sedatives, tranquilizers, pain and allergy drugs. Authorities are classifying her death as an accidental overdose.
Overdose? Sounds more like Discovery's rest day lunch menu.

Don't worry Ivan, just a few more treatments.