Ivan Basso joins Discovery Channel pro cycling team

But is he clean?

It appears that Lance Armstrong and team Discovery Channel are not concerned with whether Basso is clean, which should come as no surprise to anyone.

What absolute nonsense; smearing both Basso and Armstrong without the slightest qualm. Armstrong has never been formally charged by any cycling association with doping let alone by any court of law and has never tested positive anywhere but in silly little minds, while Basso has only been accused. He has never tested positive for doping, let alone been charged. In fact, Basso he was cleared by both the Spanish and Italian authorities and no charges were ever brought against Armstrong. I would remind you that you live in Brooklyn where even a cyclist is innocent until proven guilty, not in France where it's open season on all American cyclists.

Everyone has and is entitled to their opinions, as we all have shared through all of these forums. Discovery consulted with four lawyers (Italian, Swiss, French and German) and got their go ahead on the legallity of hiring Ivan Basso. So, let the 2007 racing begin and we'll see what happens.

The entire sport is a mess right now. The biggest mess is UCI and Pat Mcquaid's handling of doping incidents. Right down to Operation Puerto, blocking Basso and Ullrich from the tour, and their desperate attempt to smear Landis. McQuaid and the UCI had urged teams on the ProTour not to hire riders that are connected to investigations. Well that's bogus! when there is no proof and the Puerto investigation has been halted by a Spanish judge.
Hell yeah to Discovery! Sign Landis and Ullrich too!

Will wrote:

It appears that Lance Armstrong and team Discovery Channel are not concerned with whether Basso is clean, which should come as no surprise to anyone.

Now Will, you just finished stating that you do not speak for others. So, don't try stating what Lance and Discovery are thinking.

As I agree with your assessment that WADA and UCI will probably be keeping a closer watch on all the riders and their teams, lets wait and see what happens in 2007 with the racing season kicking off.

But Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, and Floyd Landis is free agent now to join Discovery for US Dominance in Cycling. No other team can beat them now with dope or no dope. Oh Yah!!!!

Floyd Landis is no free agent until he can clear himself of the two positve teasted A&B samples. And if he is found to be guilty, than he definitely will not be a free agent to join any team as he'll be banned from racing for at least two years.

Does anyone know how Basso's signing will affect Levi's place with Discovery? In an interview earlier this year, Levi said that Disco signed him to go for the Tour win in '07. Will he and Hincapie have to ride for Basso now?

The team will work that out with the riders by the time they reach the start time for the 2007 TDF. Through their winter training camp and during some of the first races at the start of the 2007 racing season, they'll figure out who has the best chance of winning the TDF. This process also helps the team manager determine which riders from the team will make up the squad that competes in the 2007 TDF.

The Discovery Team supported Lance Armstrong during each of his TDF wins and he returned the same to them by supporting them in winning other races during the racing season.

I like how Levi fought in the o6 tour de France.
He planned well, but now he will have to prove the right to race for the overall victory with a very good cyclist(Basso) Having more contenders also makes for better team tactics

Will we see the same farce as last year when no one knew who the team leader was especially the fans

I hope not!

With the addition of basso and levi,discovery should be a very dominant team for the 2007. The favorite to win this years tour de france in my opinon will be basso.

Without Jan on the peloton (which I hope doesn't happen), I think Ivan Basso is the only favorite and will dominate like he did in the Giro 2006.

Or maybe a surprise control the week before the TdF or a legal action meanwhile taken will keep him out... the French will do everything to make a countryman win.

Good evaluation Johnny. Lets hope that the Discovery Team and Ivan Basso get to race in the TDF.

"With the addition of basso and levi,discovery should be a very dominant team for the 2007. The favorite to win this years tour de france in my opinon will be basso. "
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As much as I would like to see Basso win, I have a feeling that Vinokourov, with his astana team, will be VERY hungry to win the GC. If Prudhomme lets the best riders race this year, the 2007 TdF should be another great race for the books.

I have to agree with curious... all through his career, Vino just went for stages. Last year at the Vuelta, he showed that, even without preparation, he can be a contender.

My GC prevision would be:
1) Jan Ullrich
2) Ivan Basso
3) Alenxandre Vinokourov
4) Andreas Kloden
5) Alejandro Valverde

Yes, I know... it's likely that not all of these riders will start in London.

The hell with all of this talk about the strength of Discovery and predictions about who is set up the best for certain events. This talk is ridiculous cosidering the signing of Ivan Basso. He wont even say that he is innocent, instead now that Discovery has signed him he "has nothing to prove". What a bunch of hogwash and many smucks are supporting this signing. Discovery has botched up a chance for the main-stay teams to stick togeather and try to end this terrible time in cycling... instead their helping with the demise of our sport that many of us love. As an American this signing makes me sick... shame on the Discovery squad!!!

Hey, Rob...
It's pityful, but it's business as usual.

The "gentleman's pact" was broken by Discovery Channel as they signed both Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador.

It's like what we've talked lately... some riders forget to see the big picture and will do (most) anything to get a win on the "Grand Boucle". With all this, it won't be as "grand" as expected.