In the final ITT stage of the Criterium International, Ivan Basso took second place again, one second behind stage winner Jose Alberto Martinez. With seventeen seconds down to Erik Dekker, Ivan Basso also took the overall victory in the Criterium International. With two second places and one first place, he also conquored the points jersey.

“I’m equally surprised and happy. It means a great deal to me to win here in France, where I’ve always felt welcome. I didn’t actually come here to win and wasn’t banking on my form being good enough for a top result, but after the work the team did this morning, I found myself in a position where it was possible. I’m very pleased with my time trial today and it gives me a good feeling in relation to the big stage races. Up until now everything has been perfect this year. I feel more ready and I also feel that the work, I’m doing together with Bjarne and the team, is the absolute right way for me to achieve my goals this year. This victory is an important step on the way,” said a very satisfied Ivan Basso during the press conference after his victory.

Ivan Basso took his first season victory today, in the second “hilly” stage of Criterium International. Erik Dekker fought bravely until the last hill, but unfortunately a mechanical meant he had to let go off the front group, and in the sprint for the win, Basso beat Botcharov and Dominguez to take his first victory this season.

With 20 seconds down to Dekker, Basso also took over the leader’s jersey, and will certainly try to defend it on the 8 km time trial later today.

Criterium International is the first real test of the season, for Ivan Basso, and the result was very acceptable. About halfway through the stage, Team CSC went to the front and completely split the peloton, with some help from Rabobank. A group of 30, with 5 Team CSC riders, soon put in about a minute to a pursuing peloton, which included such favorites as Floyd Landis and Jörg Jaksche.

With less than 20 kms left, a series of attacks led to a group of nine, in which only Ivan Basso remained from Team CSC. A short time later, Erik Dekker put in an attack in which he got along Igor Astarloa and Grivko. After a short while, Ivan Basso effortlessly made his way up to the front group. A crash by Igor Astarloa disrupted the finale for Erik Dekker, but in spite of this Dekker made it back up and won the sprint in front of Ivan Basso, who took second. A wonderful comeback for the experienced Dutchman.

With the traditional mountain stage and time trial tommorrow, Ivan Basso will be a strong favorite going into tommorrow.

A quick update on recent events.

Ivan Basso’s season started at Milan-Torino and the Giro di Luca on a low key. However, things are reportedly progressing well, and an 8th place in the Tirrenno -Adriatico time trial, and seventh overall is a very good result for this time of year. According to Bjarne Riis, expectations are very high this year, as Ivan’s preparations this winter have gone very smoothly, and without the personal worries and tragedies that troubled him last year.

Over the next few weeks, when not racing, Ivan Basso will be busy touring the stages of the upcoming Giro d’Italia in preparation for his second attempt to win the Giro.