Ivan Basso (Cannondale Pro Cycling) twice a winner of the Giro d’Italia, will miss the 2013 edition after being ruled out by a “sudden perineal abscess”.
The 35-year-old Italian, who won his home nation’s biggest race in 2006 and 2010, will be replaced at the helm of the Cannondale squad by countryman, Damiano Caruso, who finished third overall in last year’s Tour of Britain.
Events took a turn for the worse for Basso on Wednesday morning when he woke up with “an uncomfortable swelling”. The veteran immediately contacted team doctor, Roberto Corsetti, who referred Basso the Varese’s MultiMedica Clinic of Castellanza.
“The result excluded any acute pathology but has ascertained the presence of a big perineal abscess in its earlier state. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible set upon in anyway, either with syringe,” a spokesman said.
A course of antibiotics controlled the condition yesterday, and a second consultation with Dr Corsetti was held at the team hotel on Wednesday evening.
“This morning, after a new evaluation, it was clear that Basso would be totally unable to pedal during the coming days. Doctor Corsetti, as agreed with the athlete, team manager Amadio and Directeur Sportifs Zanatta, Mariuzzo and Volpi, decided to withdraw Basso from the Giro d’Italia,” the spokesman continued.
“Cannondale Pro Cycling called upon Damiano Caruso to take his place.”
Basso will undergo further examinations for medics to assess the best course of treatment and an estimated time for recovery.
Basso will return athome today and tomorrow will be subjected to further examinations to define the cause of the abscess and the best therapy. Only after these verifications will it be possible to define time for recovery and to return to race.
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