Italy’s Ivan Basso won his second Giro d’Italia after avoiding any
mishaps on the final time trial in Verona. The Italian Liquigas rider,
winner in 2006 before a two-year ban for attempted doping, finished 15th
behind Gustav Erik Larsson in the concluding 15km individual time trial
through the ancient streets of Verona.
“It’s a fantastic day for me,” Basso, said after finishing
his 87 hours 44 minutes and one second journey. With top names Alberto
Contador and Lance Armstrong skipping the Giro to concentrate on July’s
Tour de France, Basso kept himself well-positioned before snatching the
leader’s jersey off unheralded Spaniard David Arroyo with two stages to go.
Some exceptional performances in the mountains meant he finished 1
minute 51 seconds in front of second-placed Arroyo of Caisse d’Epargne
and 2:37 ahead of team-mate Vincenzo Nibali overall. Michele Scarponi
finished in 4th place overall while Cadel Evans claimed the fifth place.
