Sassi talks about Basso, Evans and the Zoncolan

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Ivan Basso on his way to victory(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

The stage of the Giro d'Italia to the summit of Monte Zoncolan was a great race to watch but for Italian coach Professor Aldo Sassi it was an especially emotional day.

Italian coach Aldo Sassi under treatment for a brain tumor

Basso prevails on the Zoncolan

Basso crowns his come back with victory on the Zoncolan

Rogers' regal return to winners' circle

The VAM (Velocità Ascensionale Media) or average climbing speed adjusted for the gradient, was calculated at 1777m/hour and Basso's power to weight ratio was 5.68km/h. In the past Sassi has said that any value over 6.2w/kg for a long effort on a major climb at the end of a stage race could be an indication of doping.

Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at Cyclingnews. He has previously worked for Shift Active Media, Reuters and Cycling Weekly. He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).