CONI decides not to charge Ivan Basso

According to the Dutch cycling website "Wielrensite", the Italian anti-doping authorities decided not to open a doping case against Giro d' Italia winner Ivan Basso. Dutch daily newspaper "De Telegraaf" also reported the news. It's expected that the official announcement will be made on Friday September 29, when the second hearing of Ivan Basso will be held in Rom.

Technical director of the Italian cycling federation, Silvio Martinello told a reporter of the AFP newsagency: "There is no real proof against Basso. I have seen the dossier that has been sent from Spain, and the only link to Basso is when his name comes up in a telephone conversation," and continued by saying: "people in Italy and elsewhere don't understand what's happening in this case. Basso and Ullrich have not tested positive, but it's still not fair that they cannot compete either. You can't condemn someone if the proof does not exist."

UCI president Pat Mcquaid reacted and told newsagenca AFP: "If Basso is not sanctioned by the authorities in Italy, then it would be up to us to study the evidence against him and decide whether or not to take the case to the CAS," Mcquaid also said: "But the Italian federation official was wrong to comment on this dossier before the hearing has taken place. It is not his responsibility, and should not be done at this time."

Mancebo back in the peloton?

Vincent Lavenu, manager of AG2R told reporters yesterday that he will have to fulfill Francesco Mancebo's contract as the Spanish cycling federation will not sanction Mancebo.

New continental team for Unibet.com

Unibet.com starts up with a new continental youth team next year. The continental team will participate in the international races in which the Pro-Tour team is not taking part.

Hilaire Van der Schueren, team leader with the Unibet.com Pro-Tour team, will recruit the new cyclists next week. “We will guide the young riders professionally so the best riders have a chance to make it to the Pro-Tour team in a few years”, says Van der Schueren.

“This new continental team is a part of our professional engagement as a Pro-Tour team to invest in the development of the youth cyclists”, concluded General Manager Koen Terryn.

Unibet.com will become a Pro-Tour license from the 2007 season.

UCI considers DNA testing, international cycling teams association want team bans

In a UCI press release the UCO announced that the world body considers DNA testing for pro riders: "After consultation with the riders' association, the Pro Tour Council has also decided to look into the possibility of demanding that riders be obliged to submit DNA samples." The staement continues with: "They would also be asked to undergo tests which would be used to gauge their physiological potential."

"In the event that a team is confronted with several positive tests or abnormal readings from tests from riders, the team will automatically suspend its activity."

Meanwhile the the international cycling teams association wants to introduce team bans as of January 2007. The new rules state that teams will have to stop racing for eight days after the first two positive anti-doping controls within one calendar year. The rules state that a team won't have to pull out of a race, but agree not to start  in the next Pro-Tour race, though the exclusion doesn't count ahead of the season's three grand tours.

In the event of a third case, the team will stop for four weeks as well as miss the next ProTour event, even if it is a grand tour.

Juan José Haedo to CSC

The 25 year old sprinter Juan José Haedo will leave Toyota and join CSC in the 2007 season. The rider from Argentina won 13 races this year.

Edvald Boasson Hagen stays at Maxbo-Bianchi

Although he had offers from CSC and Discovery Channel, 19 year old Norwegian rider Evald Boasson Hagen will stay with contintal team Maxbo-Bianchi. Hagen said he doesn't feel ready yet for a Pro-Tour team. Hagen won three stages of the Tour de l'Avenir this year and became fifth at the wolrd championships in the individual time trail for the U 23 category.

Bettini wants to win Tour of Flanders, Giro... who knows?

New world champion Paolo Bettini has one major goal before he retires. Bettini told reporters that he want to win the Tour of Flanders, one of the main classic races in Europe and one of the few classics Bettini didn't win until now.  That could cause problems in the Quiskstep team as his team mate Tom Boonen won the Tour of Flanders in the last two years.

Asked if he shouldn't try to win the Giro d'Italia were not answered by Bettini: I don't think i can play a majore role (in the Giro), but who knows..."