Italy's Basso bullish about Belgium classics

Italy's Ivan Basso is primed for two classics in Belgium ahead of ambitious assaults on the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

Tour de France runner-up to Lance Armstrong last year, Basso has a good record in the Fleche Wallonne, which is run today, and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, contested next Sunday.

"They are two key steps in my build-up for the Giro in May." Basso told Reuters. "I've always done well in these two races and if I'm up there I'll have a go myself. But we have plenty of strong guys in my team and I would be proud to help any of them to win, too."

Basso's CSC team have become the outfit to beat in the Spring Classics. Swiss Fabian Cancellara's victory in Paris-Roubaix earlier in the month was followed by another CSC team win on Sunday in the Amstel Gold race for Luxembourg's Frank Schleck.

Schleck will be one of the favourites in the Fleche Wallonne, a 202-km test usually decided on the last of three ascents of the steep 1-km long Mur de Huy climb.

Overall ProTour leader Tom Boonen of Belgium will not be taking part.