Ivan Basso is not only the immediate future of cycling, a World Champion, Tour de France podium finisher, and leader of Team CSC but a rider who transcends the tradition of sport. Despite being the odds–on-favorite to dethrone Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France in 2005, Ivan is an authentic individual whose soft spoken, down to earth demeanor is betrayed only by his fierce competitiveness.

Growing up as a son of Italian tifosi (Italy’s community of cycling fans) and neighbor to Italian cycling hero Claudio Chiapucci, it was almost inevitable Ivan would end up a cyclist.

As a five year old he cut his teeth racing in the “Student Category. It was only a few years later that he asked his parents to drive him to the base of the Stelvio (bottom picture), the famous climb on which many a Giro d’Italia have been decided so he could ride it. He did not disappoint, hours later cresting the 2757 meter summit’s 25 kilometer, 8% grade with a look of satisfaction.

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PARIS - The absence of seven-time winner Lance Armstrong is almost certain to add more drama to this summer’s Tour de France.

The 34-year-old Armstrong retired from cycling in July after winning his seventh straight Tour. He beat Italian Ivan Basso by 4 minutes, 40 seconds and 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich by 6:21 last year.

Since his first win in ’99, no rival has come within a minute of beating him. Ullrich was closest in 2003 when he placed 61 seconds behind the Texan.

Basso and Ullrich are expected to be among the favorites when the race runs this July 1-23.

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