Basso and Ullrich were suspended by their sponsors before the start of this year’s Tour, but the cases against them appear to be heading towards a stalemate, while the case against Landis, who tested positive for testosterone use, may also collapse because of what the American rider’s legal team claims are irregularities in the testing procedure.

The Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) is expected to dismiss charges against Basso in a hearing today, despite pleas from Pat McQuaid, the International Cycling Union (UCI) president, to delay any decision until the Madrid-based Operation Puerto doping investigations are complete.
“It’s ridiculous that Coni is closing the case, because the investigation of the Guardia Civil is not yet finished,” McQuaid said.

Basso’s present team manager, Bjarne Riis, of CSC, has encouraged the Italian rider to take a DNA test to clarify if blood found stored in the offices of Eufemanio Fuentes, the Spanish sports doctor, in May this year did originate from Basso. “I would prefer that Basso takes a DNA test,” Riis said. “The decision is his and I can’t force it, but it is something I would like to see.” However, Basso, like Ullrich, has declined to do so.

Basso, who won this year’s Giro d’Italia, appears to have the support of his national federation.

Silvio Martinello, the technical director of the Italy team, said that “there is no real proof against Basso. I have seen the dossier that has been sent from Spain and the only link to Basso is when his name comes up in a telephone conversation. In all likelihood I think Ivan will end up going to the Council for Arbitration in Sport [CAS]. “Basso and Ullrich have not tested positive, so it’s not fair that they cannot compete, either. You can’t condemn someone if the proof does not exist.”

Ullrich’s case, which is to be heard by the Swiss cycling federation, has been held up by a breakdown in bureaucratic communications between the UCI, the Swiss federation and the Spanish investigators. However, the former Tour de France winner and Olympic road-race champion, is said to have been contacted by several teams regarding his availability to race in 2007.

“If Ullrich applies for a licence, he’ll get one,” Lorenz Schlfli, the director of the Swiss national federation, said. “If he has a team, Ullrich will be able to ride.” Landis, who had hip replacement surgery this week, is ready to bring what his lawyer, Howard Jacobs, described as “a very strong case” to arbitration. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has opened a disciplinary process against the 2006 Tour de France winner that could lead to a two-year ban and the stripping of his Tour title.

However, Landis and his legal advisers remain confident about his chances of any case being dismissed. “Last week’s motion for dismissal provides the foundation for an appeal that uses fact-based science to support Landis’ innocence,” Jacobs said. “He is confident that the hearing will reveal the truth and he is looking forward to clearing his name in an open and public forum.”

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