Italian rider Ivan Basso is expected to decide shortly whether or not he will continue in the US Pro Cycling Challenge. The 2010 Giro d’Italia winner crashed approximately 20 kilometres into yesterday’s second stage of the race, falling heavily on his right hand.
He suffered on the race in to the finish in Aspen but conceded only 52 seconds to stage winner George Hincapie (BMC Racing Team), who led home a six man breakaway group. Race leader Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) and many of the other contenders finished in a group seven seconds ahead of Basso.
Basso was taken for X-rays in Aspen hospital and given an all clear in terms of fractures. “Knowing that nothing is broken it makes me breathe a sigh of relief,” he stated afterwards. “The hand still hurts, and only tomorrow, before the start, I will decide together with the team whether to continue or not.”
However he confirmed that he wanted to keep going if possible. “The desire is there.”
He is currently 30th overall, three minutes and 47 seconds back. Today’s stage is a time trial which, depending on the precise location of the wrist injury, might make his day an easier one than a road stage would.