Basso firm favourite for <i>Tour de France</i>

Italy's Ivan Basso became firm favourite for this year's Tour de France after dominating the Giro d'Italia that ended in Milan yesterday.

The 28-year-old from Varese won three of the 21 stages of the three-week race and his CSC team also won the team time trial stage.

It was a show of strength that reminded many of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

Spain's Jose Gutierrez of the Phonak team finished second, nine minutes and 18 seconds behind Basso. Italy's Gilberto Simoni was third at 11:59.

Germany's Robert Forster won the final flat 140-km stage to Milan in a sprint finish.

Basso finished second in the 2005 Tour de France behind Lance Armstrong and the Giro is the first major stage race success of his eight-year career.

"The emotions of the birth of my son Santiago on Friday and then winning the Giro will stay with me for the rest of my life," Basso told reporters.

Basso won the first mountain top finish at Maielletta on stage eight, never had a bad day and continually gained time on his rivals.

He also won the mountain stages to Monte Bondone on May 23 and to Aprica on Saturday when he proudly showed a photograph of his son who was born the day before.

"I think of the secret of stage racing is to know how to ride well for three weeks without ever going too deep into your reserves," he said.

"This was a very hard Giro and so it was important to ration your energy and know when and where to gain time. There were seven key stages and I think I rode well on all of them."

Basso added: "In the last two years I've finished on the Tour de France podium twice and even made Armstrong suffer. I've been the same Basso as always, but with a year's experience and improvement in my legs.

"There were days when I suffered but I manage to hide my pain when I'm riding and so, fortunately, my rivals didn't take advantage."

Basso will spend a few days relaxing with his family but will then begin to prepare for the Tour de France which starts in Strasbourg on July 1.

"I can't celebrate and rest too much because the Tour is not far away," he said.

"This Giro has been hard but leading the race for 15 days has taught me a lot.

"I know the pink jersey is not like the yellow jersey at the Tour de France but now I feel ready to face the pressures of the Tour. I've never said I can win the Tour but I'm going to try."

Simoni accusation casts shadow over Giro win

A stunning accusation from Simoni cast a shadow over Basso's victory. Before yesterday's stage, Simoni had accused Basso of asking him for money to let him (Simoni) win Saturday's 211-km 20th stage to Aprica.

"Five kilometres from the finish of the stage Basso asked me for money in exchange for him letting me win," said Simoni, Giro winner in 2001 and 2003.

"I've never asked for charity or for the stage win and when Basso asked for money it really hurt me. I've never done anything like that during my career."

When told of the accusation, Basso denied asking Simoni for money.

"I don't know why Simoni said such nasty things," the Italian said.

"I won't allow anyone to ruin my victory at the Giro. I think I've shown I'm the best in the race and that I deserved the win in Aprica.

"To tell you the truth Simoni's accusations went in one ear and out of the other."