Bugno: Teams need to pay

"This changes nothing," said two-time World Champion Gianni Bugno in regards to Ivan Basso's agreement with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to confess. "My valuation of Basso remains unchanged, and it clearly confirms that it is the cyclists who always pay the price," said the Italian to tuttobiciweb.com.

Bugno's comments seemed to be directed at Basso's previous engagement with Bjarne Riis' Team CSC, since Basso only competed in a few events with the Discovery Channel team. "Is it possible that the teams and those who share a room with him [Basso's team-mates] don't know anything?

"It amazes me how this thing happens always with a few days before the Giro d'Italia. Basso had the courage to admit to his mistakes but in the best moments of his career no one spoke a word," continued Bugno, a secretary of the Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA).

"Operación Puerto? It is stupid that we still talk only of cycling, seeing how on the list there are others from various sport disciplines."