7/14/15 5:30 AM

It was discovered during a checkup on the rest day and he has left the race to have surgery ASAP.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/07/news/ivan-basso-leaves-tour-de-france-with-testicular-cancer_377869

7/14/15 9:33 AM

Wishing him the best.

7/14/15 1:59 PM

A somewhat older friend had that diagnosis (and subsequent surgery) ten years ago.

He was advised to also undergo chemo, but declined.

Luckily he's still alive and well these days.

7/14/15 3:44 PM

I think the Velonews phrasing should have been "A 2 year ban for suspected doping", which is more accurate. Basso was never caught and only ever admitted to planning on using dope. Granted he at some point during this era probably used dope, as they all did, but I generally hate inaccurate reporting like this.

In this case it's because Ivan has been one of my all time favorite riders, a true gentleman from all I've seen. I suspect his career is over, but he's had a good run.

7/14/15 4:17 PM

May be a blessing that crash occurred, if it allowed the cancer to be detected earlier than otherwise.

I have a lot of respect for guys who have doping problems, suck it up, serve their time, stay humble and return to the sport they love. That he is still riding at 37 is a statement in itself.

A year ago I would have said A-Rod was the biggest A-Hole on the block, but I have a lot of respect for what he has done in the last year. [/i]

7/14/15 6:37 PM

I wonder if a study has been done to determine any link between steroid use in sport and the rate of T-Cancer.

I remember at least one other besides LA and now Basso, along with soccer player (IIRC) that developed it. Cycling and Soccer are "dirty" sports.

It would be interesting to see if there was a definitive tie between abusive PEDs and cancer in general.

Of course there will never be anything but anecdotal evidence and even that won't prove anything.


Edit.

I posted without reading the article, I already knew he was out. I see the article mentions the soccer player I remembered. duh, Erik read then comment.

7/16/15 7:40 AM

That type of cancer is most common/often diagnosed for adults aged in their 20's & 30's.

Being a professional cyclist, surely Basso's cancer was detected early with all of the routine care they receive from body mechanics (doctors) throughout the year.