Ivan Basso wasn't present at this weekend's presentation of the route of the 2011 Giro d'Italia, instead, taking part in a criterium in Chihuahua, Mexico. However the defending champion did not miss out on the details, and today, he talked 2011 with Italy's La Gazzetta dell Sport. Unsurprisingly, the two-time Giro winner is nearly in rapture over the layout of next May's three week journey around Italy (and a bit of Austria too).
"I love the course. Do you know what I mean? This is a recipe where all the ingredients were added to perfection."
The rider who is famously coached by Aldo Sassi sees the Zoncolan as once again a crucial stage for the overall battle, but in 2011, it looks to be significantly more difficult with the addition of the monstrous Monte Crostis in one final, evil 2600 meters of climbing 60 kilometer circuit, with first the Crostis, then the Zoncolan.
"In the 2010 Giro, there was a pre-and post-Zoncolan. In 2011, it could be the same, and if the Crosta [just before the Zoncolan] is as bad as they say, after that, it could be harder, or less hard after that."
Basso's seemingly mixed-up words make perfect sense - if a rider proves dominant on the stage to the Zoncolan, the Giro will more or less be his. Of course, the simplicity part only works if it's Basso himself, and it becomes significantly more complicated if it's not Basso. In short, the former Tour de France podium finisher sees the Zoncolan as a major hurdle in the quest for the Maglia Rosa, but there are many, many other obstacles outside of the Crostis/Zoncolan duo.
"Honestly, between the dirt roads, climbs, twisty roads, and pitfalls possible in the transition days…the strongest man will win. A climber."
Basso also gives a nod of the head to the return of the white roads in the difficult stage to Orvieto. The seemingly innocuous inclusion of a rather short section of white road could still spell chaos for the contenders.
"The stage to Orvieto could prove more difficult than expected."
More importantly, the final time trial in Milano could be absolutely decisive, again though, only if a duel has been forged over the previous 20 stages. Basso notes that the final time trial next year will be more than double the length of this year's final time trial, which was enough to turn the standings around a bit on the final day.
"It is also possible that the final time trial will be decisive. At more than 30 kilometers, it is more than double that of Verona."
The biggest question, much more so than what stages will be the hardest, however, is the composition of the Liquigas team next May. Will Basso take part? Who will lead? Basso certainly appears very keen to defend his 2010 Giro title, but exactly how he will do that is the big question, as teammate and Vuelta winner, Vincenzo Nibali, has made it clear that he wants a full on go at the Giro in 2011.
"Believe me, there is nothing definite yet. We'll talk. Circumstances have changed since last year. Of course, we will not fight to be leader of the team. We'll talk and find a solution without a problem. Many questions are still left to be examined. So maybe it's Nibali for the Giro and then I seek the help of Vincenzo for the Tour? It's easy to say, but to put it into practice, that's another matter entirely."
Basso is confident that it will work out in the end though.
"We'll make the right choices."
With next year's course including almost 250 miles of uphill action, it seems hard to imagine Basso passing up on the chance to defend his title. Still, there's a certain race in July that continues to call his name, a race that he would love to add to his trophy case before his career is up. The 2011 Tour de France would be perfect for a rider of Basso's talents - it's the kind of Tour de France that you don't get every year, a Tour for the climbers.
"What I miss is the yellow jersey, but that is no secret."
Another question worth asking at this point? Where does the recently cleared Franco Pellizotti fit into all of this? It will certainly be an interesting winter and lead-up to next year's first Grand Tour for the Liquigas team.