Basso quotes Armstrong in post drug use stupor...

Originally Posted by limerickman

When is his banned completed?

Originally Posted by whiteboytrash

ROME (AFP) — Disgraced former Tour of Italy champion Ivan Basso claimed Thursday that his two-year doping suspension was the best thing to happen to him.

Basso was tipped to win the 2006 Tour de France, shortly after cruising to victory in the Tour of Italy, but he was caught up in the infamous Operation Puerto scandal and barred from taking part.

He later admitted to having contacted the tainted laboratory involved in the affair with the view to blood-doping, a move that earned him a two-year ban from the sport.

He has spent his time working for various charities.

"I feel like a better man, to paraphrase (Lance) Armstrong, the ban was the best thing that could have happened to me," said Basso in an interview on Affaritaliani.it.

"It gave me time to reflect, it's turned my life around and now I'm ready to come back."

Despite enjoying this time off, he has continued to train and he is eager to come back and fulfil one of his dreams, winning the Tour de France.

"That's my dream but I don't want to think too far ahead," he added. "I prefer to take small steps, like holding out a hand to a child."

Originally Posted by Gregers

Sounds almost like he wishes he'd had some of those life changing, metastasising oncogenes that transformed his hero and mentor. A simple drugs ban really doesn't quite do it in the life-turn-round stakes.

Originally Posted by Rolfrae

Who cares what he says, about anything. He's a proven liar. He hid behind his lies behind his mother's death from cancer. Fark him. He might be a great pedaller (whilst on PEDs) but his words mean nothing.

Originally Posted by whiteboytrash

"He has spent his time working for various charities"

- yeah but he worked for some charities.... that alone is enough for atonement and lying on your mothers grave.......... I mean know one I know has ever done anything for charity.... he truly is a very very noble man…… not since Lance Armstrong shagged his own mother has there been such a noble act of remorse…

Originally Posted by Rolfrae

I really have a strong dislike for the man (I can tell you do too WBT). Think my dislike stems from the fact that my father died from cancer shortly before Basso's mother did. If I learnt nothing at all from that experience I still wouldn't have the gall to lie and swear upon my father's grave. Also, less importantly, I went to Italy the year Basso stole, sorry, won the Giro, and feel like his alien antics cheated me out of watching a decent race. Yes, they all dope but his cheating bordered on outright arrogance.

Originally Posted by Rolfrae

I really have a strong dislike for the man (I can tell you do too WBT). Think my dislike stems from the fact that my father died from cancer shortly before Basso's mother did. If I learnt nothing at all from that experience I still wouldn't have the gall to lie and swear upon my father's grave. Also, less importantly, I went to Italy the year Basso stole, sorry, won the Giro, and feel like his alien antics cheated me out of watching a decent race. Yes, they all dope but his cheating bordered on outright arrogance.