Ivan Basso was yesterday at the Pitti Uomo in Florance for the presentation of the Giro d'Italia 2010. This was a good occasion for an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport.

When was the first time that you wore a Leaders Jersey of a stage race?
Basso: "At the Regio Tour in 1999. But I do not remember what color it was. It was a great emotion because that day I won the stage and conquered the jersey."

What is your first memory of the Tour?
Basso: "The time trial in Verona in which Moser won the Giro. I hope that I have seen a good sign and that this year's final will be the same."

When did you conquer your first pink jersey?
Basso: "A Zoldo Alto, in 2005. The nice thing though is yet to come."

Where did you held the pink jersey that you had conquered?
Basso: "The first is neat and orderly, folded into a showcase. That was from the victory in 2006."

What value has the pink jersey? It 'true that you changed your life?
Basso: "Enormous. When you start with racing, you always dream of wearing that shirt for a day. When you have conquered a jersey it changes your life exponentially, with a runner stated is different."

Everyone says that the pink jersey is a dream, but have you ever really dreamed of it?
Basso: "Never happened, I do not dream at night, almost never."

What other jersey shirt do you hope to wear in the near future?
Basso: "The yellow of the Tour."