Everyone on Team CSC are of course hard hit by the ongoing doping investigation implicating Basso. One thing that the team is not doing, however, is hiding away. In fact, every Team CSC rider at the Tour has apparently been given standing orders that he must reply openly to questions on the ongoing doping case against Ivan Basso.

So far, all that has resulted in, are statements of support for Basso. Comments so far indicate that Ivan Basso assured his team mates of his innocence in the case in a meeting after the suspension, and at least publically, all the riders have stated they believe him.

In an interview friday, Kurt Asle Arvesen, who is a close friend of Ivan Basso since their amateur days, said that he was highly surprised by the suspension, and will believe Basso innocent until proven otherwise. In the same interview, Kurt also expressed his anger and shock at the idea that so many riders in the peloton would be doping. “I feel cheated,” he says. “I ride and compete with these people. If this is so widespread as seems to be the case, then it is a terribly frustrating situation for those of us who ride cleanly.”