Claudio Corti: “No negotiations being held with Ivan Basso”

There have been numerous rumours and suggestions circulating in the last few days regarding Team Barloworld and Ivan Basso. The Italian intends to race again in 2009 after serving his long ban but Team Barloworld team manager Claudio Corti wishes to make the following clarification:

“According to reports around the world, people seem to think I am keen to sign Ivan Basso. It’s true that I had some contact with Basso approximately a year and half ago when he was initially cleared but I want to clarify that Team Barloworld and Ivan Basso are not holding negotiations,” Corti said.

“We are still defining our plans for 2009 and beyond with the main sponsor and so it’s unthinkable that we could be holding talks at this moment with any rider.”