Basso concludes training vacation

Italy's Ivan Basso, banned from cycling for his involvement with Operación Puerto, prepared and vacationed in the Dolomites for his racing return this October. The 30 year-old Varesino travelled to Val Bios, in the province of Belluno, with his family.

"I came to Falcade with my family many times before," said Basso in a press release. "The environment is calm and very good. The people have helped me become familiar with these mountains. Often I train here in the winter – on the bike and cross-country skiing."

Basso rode for Discovery Channel before his suspension in May of 2007. He will return to racing with Team Liquigas, whom he signed a contract with on April 24. He is training for an expected return to racing in the Japan Cup, October 28.

"Thanks to the good weather conditions, I was able to train well. The Dolomite roads and passes, the heart of cycling country, are ideal grounds – every day you can choose from different parcours." In addition to time on the bike, Basso spent time with his wife and children, Domitilla and Santiago. The four returned to Varese on Saturday.