Ivan Basso has spoken of his excitement at returning to competitive racing following a two-year suspension for his part in the Operation Puerto doping inquiry. The Italian cyclist believes that he can make a successful comeback and prove to the world of cycling that his previous victories were achieved honestly.

Basso won the Giro d’Italia in 2006 but was suspended after police found bags of blood that he admitted belonged to him. Although he made this confession, the 30-year-old still claims that he never used the blood to improve his performance during competitive racing.

Spanish police found over 200 code-named bags of blood that were all linked to leading cyclists, including Basso. Other cyclists implicated in the controversy include Jan Ullrich, the former winner of the Tour de France, and Roberto Heras, who has previously won the Tour of Spain.

Basso will return to action two days after his ban ends, on the 24th of October. He will travel to Tokyo to take part in the one-day Japan Cup and has spoken of his excitement at experiencing the emotions of competing, which he has been unable to feel for two years.

The cyclist believes that he is in “good form” and is confident that he can “do well” in both Tokyo and Argentina, where he will race in the Tour of San Luis in January next year. These races are good opportunities for the cyclist to reach the peak of his ability prior to the Tour of California in February, which in itself will be the perfect preparation for the 2009 Giro d’Italia.

Performing well in the Giro is Basso’s “biggest objective for 2009” but the races that form the build-up to that race will be instrumental in ensuring that the Italian’s comeback is successful. They will also allow him to build up a rapport with his new team mates, as Basso will be racing for new team, Liquigas.

Ivan Basso was born in Gallarate, in Lombardy, and ironically grew up living next door to Claudio Chiappucci. Chiappucci was forced into retirement after being found guilty of doping more than once. He impressed during the 1995 Junior World Championships and won the World Championship for under 23-year-olds just three years later.

The following year, he turned professional and competed in his first Giro d’Italia. Although he did not manage to finish the race, he publicly stated his ambition to win it in the future. Basso’s first professional victory came in the Regio Tour in 2000 with Amica Chips-Tacconi Sport.

2001 was a successful year for the Italian, who made his Tour de France debut after moving to Fassa Bortolo and joining up with Giancarlo Ferretti. He managed to finish seventh in the 2003 Tour de France and helped fellow Italian, Luca Paolini, win a bronze medal at the 2004 World Championships, held in Verona.

It was in 2006, however, that Basso really lit up the cycling world. He won the Giro d’Italia in an impressive manner, thrashing the other competitors.

However, the Operation Puerto doping inquiry put an end to the cyclist’s rapid development, as he was forced to miss out on professional competition for two years. It will be interesting to see if he is able to recapture some of the form that proved so effective prior to his suspension.

Written by Charlotte Cook