Giro d'Italia champion Basso leaves CSC team

Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso has quit his team CSC days after investigators at the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) asked for the doping case against him to be closed.

The Italian was placed under investigation by CONI after being implicated in a Spanish police probe into blood doping by a group of doctors in Madrid.

"Team CSC and Ivan Basso have decided to terminate their contract by mutual agreement," CSC said in a statement.

Basso has said he wants to return to racing as quickly as possible. He has not competed since he was withdrawn from July's Tour de France on the eve of the race after being implicated in the Spanish probe.

"After all that has happened, especially this summer, Team CSC and Ivan Basso have agreed to part ways," CSC Team manager Bjarne Riis said. "It has been a very difficult decision, but both parties agree it is time to move on."

Basso was one of nine riders withdrawn from the Tour and he was suspended by CSC. He has always denied any links with the doctors arrested in Madrid.