Ivan Basso and Liquigas-Cannondale management has decided: the rider won't be at the departure of 2011 Giro d'Italia. The decision was based on the
fact that Basso is not in top form at the moment. "Dropping out of the Giro d’Italia is a huge sacrifice for me. But there’s no way my current level of fitness would enable me to do it justice. In our plans at the start of season, we’d thought I’d do the Giro and then the Tour de France with the aim of flanking and supporting Vincenzo Nibali on his quest for the pink jersey. I was hoping to feel something right up to the last moment that would reassure me and give me confidence: but unfortunately those feelings didn’t come. So together with the team we’ve made this agonising decision. I wanted to be there and help Vincenzo: I’ll be at the front of the crowd cheering him on. He’s an incredibly talented guy and I know that he’ll be a fierce contender. I wish Vincenzo and the rest of the team the best of luck, and all I can say to the Giro d’Italia fans is “arrivederci”. The idea of winning the third pink jersey before I retire is still firmly fixed in my brain".