Ivan Basso Discussion Thread

[Armchair Cyclist]

Re:

I wonder what would happen if a contender were diagnosed in this manner, particularly someone like Froome who is very likely to win. Would he drop out, and abandon his chances of a title, or take a chance that two more weeks at this early stage wouldn't make much difference--and getting as much treatment as possible under the circumstances? If you think someone would be a fool to gamble like this, remember that athletes frequently take much bigger gambles with their lives, indeed, that fuels a lot of the doping.

In any case, there has to be a cutoff point, a stage in the race where a strong contender would continue to the finish. I can't imagine anyone leading after stage 20 dropping out just before the final stage to Paris, for example. But how far into a race would a contender have to be before he would make the decision to continue? I can see a point where it would be a real conflict.

I suppose Kelly i the 1987 Vuelta is the nearest parallel to the situation you posit, but that was deciding the pain couldn't be supported (as he would undoubtedly put it) rather than concern for longer term health.

Like anyone of good will, I wish him a full recovery and sympathise with all those for whom this is a reminder of bad news that touched them.

We live in strange world when a man has to announce something so wrapped up with personal fear and concern in front of the massed ranks of the media, in a language in which he has limited self-expression, within two hours of diagnosis. That was truly courageous.

 

[Celeste]

I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Ivan during the Tour of Britain a couple of years ago. He was charming and a perfect gentleman - humble and polite, despite the fact that I shoved a microphone in his face after he'd just signed on for the stage. A class rider and I hope and pray he gets through this. Cancer is not the killer it once was but you can do without things like this in your life.

 

[huge]

Really shocking news.

Forza Ivan!

 

[Jelantik]

Re: Re:

Ivan Basso Official
Ciao, quello che sta succedendo lo sapete già, quello che ci tenevo a dirvi è che affronterò questa prova con la grinta di sempre e con la positività che mi avete trasmesso con tutti i vostri messaggi.
Amo il ciclismo che mi ha dato tanto e mi ha insegnato a stringere i denti quando c’è da lottare; adoro la mia famiglia che riempie la mia vita di gioia e mi ha dato la spinta per andare avanti nei momenti difficili; farò un gran tifo per la mia squadra, la Tinkoff-Saxo, alla quale auguro di portare Alberto, il nostro capitano, a Parigi in maglia gialla.
Nei prossimi giorni purtroppo non potrò stare in contatto con voi, ma tornerò a farlo molto presto perché siete la mia forza!
Grazie a tutti.
Ivan

Translation:

Hey there, you all know what's going on. I just wanted to tell you that I'll face this challenge with the usual grit and the positive attitude you all gave me through your messages.
I love cycling, it gave me a lot and taught me not to give up when the fight is on; I love my family, they fill my life with joy and they pushed me through the difficult times; I'll strongly support my team, Tinkoff-Saxo, and I hope to see our captain Alberto with the yellow jersey in Paris.
I won't be able to keep in touch with you in the next few days, but I'll be back soon because you're my strength!
Thank you all.
Ivan

thanks for the translation. My heart goes to him. I almost in tears reading his statement. I hope for his speedy recovery. He is a such a classy guy.

 

[gregrowlerson]

All the best to Ivan in his recovery. A good thing they have detected it early.

 

[MatParker117]

Some good news as his surgery was a success.

 

[Carols]

Re:

Some good news as his surgery was a success.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Red Rick]

Dutch commentator I think said that the tumor was malignant, so they had to remove the entire testicle. That went well at least. He'd be going home tomorrow already.

 

[mr. tibbs]

Re:

Dutch commentator I think said that the tumor was malignant, so they had to remove the entire testicle. That went well at least. He'd be going home tomorrow already.

Malignant. Ugh. Worrying. I hope to see him on a bike again soon.

Forza, Ivan.

 

[Netserk]

Uniballer 2.0?

...

I'd be really happy if this means his career doesn't end like this

 

[King Boonen]

Basso currently clear of cancer:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-shorts-basso-clear-of-cancer

Best news of the Tour so far. He'll get follow ups over the next few months and possibly years to keep an eye on it but all signs point to it being gone.

 

[SafeBet]

Very good news indeed.
Hard to tell at this point if his career is over.

 

[webbie146]

Re:

Very good news indeed.
Hard to tell at this point if his career is over.

I think he will do 1 final year at tinkoff.

 

[jalep]

Re:

Basso currently clear of cancer:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-shorts-basso-clear-of-cancer

Best news of the Tour so far. He'll get follow ups over the next few months and possibly years to keep an eye on it but all signs point to it being gone.

Great news.

 

[cellardoor]

Re:

Very good news indeed.
Hard to tell at this point if his career is over.

I believe his doctor has cleared him to resume his career after a few of weeks of rest.

 

[Carols]

It would be great if he was able to return to end his career on his own terms!

 

[orangerider]

Pretty sure we'll see him return to fulfill his contract but doubt he'll be a starter for anything but warm-ups and exhibition races. Maybe if we're lucky a final Giro to bid farewell for retirement.

 

[staubsauger]

As much as I laughed at him this year (being an upper coq now): He wasn't that bad at Andalucia this spring. Afterwards he probably was already affected by his illness a tiny little bit, in terms of getting overtrained too soon. Recovery should be harmed pretty fast if something bad is going on within your body, shouldn't it?

Maybe one last polka dot jersey at the Vuelta 2016, where Tinkoff hasn't got a leader anyway!?

 

[TomLPC]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/25/basso-racing-all-clear-cancer-operation

Bit low to include the doping part in the article but still great news.

 

[orangerider]

Looks like he's contemplating whether to ride another season. Life's priorities have changed.

It'd be interesting if they could send him to Tour of California to see if he could pull off the overall, although the timing makes it more favorable for him to be in the Giro (assuming he rides at all).

 

[MatParker117]

Happy retirement Ivan and thank you for a great career.

 

[Alexandre B.]

He crushed my favorite rider on the Zoncolan - his biggest achievement post-ban. Good retirement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH_n9CR59jo

 

[contador_attacks]

Re:

Happy retirement Ivan and thank you for a great career.

+1.

 

[hmronnow]

+1

 

[chiocciolis_calves]

Classy rider. Fine leadership qualities within his teams, as well. Easy to see why Contador wanted him on his team at the end of his career.