The Italian cycling federation is to investigate Gilberto Simoni's claim that Ivan Basso offered him a bribe in the penultimate stage of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday, according to the ANSA news service.
Basso won the stage after breaking away from Simoni on the final climb. Afterwards, Simoni claimed Basso had broken an agreement between the two that they would stay together so that Simoni could win the stage. The next day, Simoni accused Basso of trying to bribe him.
"Basso offered me money to gain the stage victory. I don't need charity. For me, he doesn't exist any more," Simoni said.
Basso denied the accusation, saying "I can hold my head high. The disgraceful thing he alleged just didn't happen. I admit I asked him to stay with me on the descent from the Mortirolo, so we could keep our lead until the last climb. But that's all that happened."
Simoni will face a disciplinary committee of the Italian cycling federation next Monday, and may find himself in serious trouble if he can't substantiate the accusation. The burden of proof in such a case lies with the accuser and Simoni may find himself sanctioned by the federation if he cannot convince the tribunal of his claim.
Italian cycling figures have generally been unimpressed with Simoni's allegation. Mario Cipollini, the former sprinter who holds the record for the most number of Giro wins, said, "this sort of thing has always stayed within the riders' pack. They should have sorted it out over a bottle of good wine."
Vittorio Adorni, who won the Giro in 1965 and now works for the UCI, said, "Simoni behaved like a little kid. The informal rule, 'today's my turn and tomorrow yours', has always existed."
Italian Cycling Federation chairman Alcide Cerato accused Simoni of being, "a bad loser."
"It's not the first time he's lashed out at people who've beat him," Cerato added, referring to Simoni's attitude toward then-team-mate Damiano Cunego when Cunego won the 2004 Giro.
Former Fassa Bortolo manager Giancarlo Ferretti, who has been team manager for both riders, said, "both riders are well off and its normally the richest who are tempted to do things like that."
Franco Ballerini, the Italian national team manager, disapproved of the idea that there had even been a gentleman's agreement between the two. "These things shouldn't happen any more because people can bet on stages these days," he said.
