April 30, 2007 — Ivan Basso has asked for and obtained immediate cancellation of his contract with Discovery Channel according to AP. The 29-year-old winner of the 2006 Giro has been implicated in the Puerto doping scandal and was convoked to appear before the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) on this matter on May 2nd. The same committee had previously cleared him on this matter in October 2006. Shortly thereafter, Basso signed a two-year contract with Discovery.

Coach Johan Bruyneel and team manager Bill Stapleton announced in a press release today that Basso made the request “for personal reasons related to the reopening of his case by CONI.” Basso is also quoted as saying that the decision to leave was 100% his own and that nobody forced him to go.

Stapleton contends that his team has a strong roster, even without Basso.
Lance Armstrong, who is still affiliated with his former team, suggested that American Levi Leipheimer might move into Basso’s spot.