Sassi talks about Basso, Evans and the Zoncolan

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

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A tired Evans had no match for Basso on the climb but still came home in second place (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

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Overall leader Michael Rogers is trailed by RadioShack's Yaroslav Popovych. (Image credit: Jon Devich)

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.