June 15, 2007 (Rome, Italy) – Ivan Basso (recently with Discovery Channel) received a two-year suspension from professional cycling today, reports AFP. The ban, handed down by the Italian Cycling Federation, was a response to Basso’s involvement in the Puerto Affair. Basso was found to be in violation of articles articles 2.2 (use or intention to use a banned substance) and 2.6 (possession of banned substances) of the World Anti-Doping (WADA) code.

The 29-year-old winner of the 2006 Giro has admitted to contacting Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes – who is at the centre of the Puerto doping investigation – with the intention of doping for the 2006 Tour de France, but Basso denies actually taking any doping substances.

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) had previously expressed hope that Basso would cooperate fully with authorities and name names, something which does not appear to have happened. The sanction that Basso received is slightly longer than the 21-month sanction sought by CONI.

“I made a mistake,” declared Basso to reporters, “and I deserve to pay for it.”