By Stephen Farrand
BAVENO, Italy, Oct 17 - Italian Ivan Basso said he
is convinced he can make a successful comeback when his two-year
ban for doping ends next week.
The 30-year-old Basso, who signed a two-year contract with
Liquigas earlier this year, won the 2006 Giro d'Italia but was
subsequently suspended for two years after being implicated in
the Spanish Operation Puerto blood doping investigation.
Basso admitted some bags of blood found in police raids were
his but said he never actually used them to improve his
performances in races.
"I'm lucky that I can race again and show that what I did
in the first part of my career was done honestly. I'm convinced
that people will believe in me," Basso said on Friday at a
convention held by his new team.
"Some people will be still be disappointed with me for what
I did but time will help heal the scars."
Basso's ban ends on Oct. 24 and his first race with the
Liquigas team will be the one-day Japan Cup in Tokyo two days
later. He plans to ride the Tour of San Luis in Argentina in
January 2009, the Tour of California in February and then target
the Giro d'Italia.
"There are still a few days to go before I can race again
but it's almost over," he said.
"The 26th will be the day when I can finally pin on a number
at a race and feel the emotions I haven't felt for two years.
I've worked hard to be on good form and I'm optimistic I can do
well.
"The Giro will be my biggest objective for 2009 but there
are other races before then which will be key steps in my
comeback with my new team mates. When it's time to talk about
Armstrong I will but he's obviously the number one favourite for
the Giro d'Italia."
Seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will also
ride the three-week Italian stage race after announcing his
comeback.
(editing by Justin Palmer)