Basso in Japan

Last week the Italian cyclist Ivan Basso - who is deep in contract negotiations - visited Japan as a guest of Full Speed Ahead (FSA) for Cycle Mode International 2006, a Japanese cycling industry trade show. Miwako Sasaki visited the show to witness his popularity in the Far East.

Given the termination of his contract with Team CSC, this year's Giro d'Italia winner, Ivan Basso, appeared at the Japanese trade show fully kitted-out in FSA clothing.

It was only the second time the 28 year-old Italian had visited Japan. "I came to Japan in 1996 for Tour of Japan, as an amateur rider of the Italian national team," he said.

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