WHAT will Ivan Basso bring to the Discovery Channel Team?

Awesome news!

I was unaware of this, so thanks for the good news.

Ivan is a great cyclist, with a great attitude and one of the best mountain climbers in the world (easily in the top 5).

I think Basso is a much better fit with the Discovery Team then with his old CSC team.

I'm also a big fan of Tyler Hamilton, who was suspended, due to doping (wrongly) accusations two years ago. Tyler has a very similar riding style, when compared with Ivan Basso.

Remember all of the past TDFs where Lance Armstrong and Hamilton where always side by side on the mountain. stages? I don't know if Ivan would be able to endure the pain that Tyler did in the 2003 TDF, where at the end of stage 1, he was involved in a 35 rider accident where he broke his collar-bone in two places. He continued on to win the 17th stage and finish the Tour in 4th place overall.

So, as far as Discovery Team taking on Tyler's 28 year old, Ex-CSC teammate, Ivan Basso? It should be an awesome move for everyone involved.

I could easily see Ivan taking the Discovery team back to the Yellow, hopefully restoring the world's confidence in an American team once again.

I can hardly wait!

Response to Ross:

By the way Ross, watch that stage again! Ivan never beat Lance! That mountain stage win was a courtesy win given as a gift to Basso from Armstrong. Lance has a lot of respect for Basso and considered him to be a rider that could one day take his place. Watch the tour footage and you'll see Lance wave Basso on before reaching the finish. Lance gave up several yellow jerseys to other riders that he felt deserved it, as long as he had the overall lead, that was all that matterd to Lance.

Response to Doping Accusations by the (angry) Europeans:

I myself, have never touched a drug in my life, yet years ago I tested positive twice, by the sport I was involved in. I retested again and was found innocent on both accounts.

Than again when I was 17, I failed a polygraph that I was completely truthful on. I didn't get the job I was applying for, but I learned an important life lesson, not all test are fair and without fault.

As far as Floyd Landis, I can't be sure one way or the other. I hope that Landis is innocent, but that jury is still out for now.

As far as Tyler Hamilton, I without a doubt believe that he was wrongfully accused and hopefully he will soon be vindicated.

Europeans: Get over it! The Americans are here, they're viable contenters and they're here to stay. So shut up, get in that saddle and ride.

controversy, steroids, a worse situation 2 a team floundering in the american market because now there star is no longer an american who rode with lance its somebody who BEAT lance on a mountain, i see discovery backing out within 2 years because it is not worth it to pay these guys if u get nothing from the american market back...also i expect VERSUS (formerly OLN) to back out due to NOBODY CARING other than the few loyal people to cycling such as myself

With Johan, the team consistently has an excellent gamble to win. Basso is a international type rider - so is Leipeimer and Hincapie. i for my area think of the team needs to verify on a pacesetter, regardless of the undeniable fact that. i think of having a million chief with all people having for sure defined roles is the biggest to winning the excursion de France. as much as i admire Levi - i think of Basso is the better rider ordinary. Do i think of he can win the Giro and the excursion - particular. If that's what his important concentration is and his team sticks to their rolls and he has greater stable days than undesirable and he keeps to be out of crashes - then particular. (because of the fact of this cycling is so great - because of the fact all of issues out of your administration)! Vive Le excursion!

Many losses.